COLE AND LESCOTT PRAISE BURNLEY COMMUNITY WORK

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England U21s coaches take part in BFC Shadow Youth Team training and Q&A session

2021-11-10T10:03:42.151Z

COLE AND LESCOTT PRAISE BURNLEY COMMUNITY WORK

England U21s coaches take part in BFC Shadow Youth Team training and Q&A session

2021-11-10T10:03:42.151Z

England U21s coaches take part in BFC Shadow Youth Team training and Q&A session

England U21s Head Coach Lee Carsley, alongside assistant coach Ashley Cole and Joleon Lescott and Tim Dittmer, spent Tuesday afternoon at Soccer Burnley with the club's shadow youth team.

Carsley's Young Lions are gearing up for their Euro Qualifier on Thursday night at Turf Moor against Czech Republic, with the squad and staff spending the past few days in Burnley.

The four England coaches took part in a training session on Tuesday, before a Q&A session with the youngsters afterwards.

And former Arsenal and Chelsea star Cole had plenty of praise for the club's work with the community and grassroot side of football.

Cole, who won 107 caps for England, said: “I’ve had a really good day up here; I love what you’re doing as a club.

“I think it’s really important bringing the community together and giving the young boys and girls an opportunity to live a dream.

“It’s been brilliant to come down and do some coaching, answer some questions and get to meet lots of different people.

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“This is why I’m doing this job, all the knowledge I have gained over the years, now trying to give that back to the future of the country.

“Burnley are doing a great job here, not just thinking of the first team, U23s and U18s, but we could see a future star here, so it’s important to connect the club to the community and Burnley have done that really well.”

The U21 side have been training at the Clarets' training base this week, leading up to their Euro Qualifier on Thursday.

And Cole & Lescott admitted they were both impressed with the club's training facilities and were very grateful for the club's help throughout the week, speaking to Clarets+.

Cole smiled: “It’s been very good, the staff have been very welcoming, they have been really great for us.

“Open minded, helping where they can from moving the goals and equipment on the pitches for us, the pitches are quality too.

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“It’s always nice to experience different parts of the country and different stadiums and training grounds and Burnley has been fantastic and the facilities have been amazing.”

And Lescott added: “We thank Burnley Football Club for giving us the opportunity, for letting us train there and be up here for the game.

“The pitch surfaces are amazing and have been class for us to train on this week.

“We’re very grateful that we have been given that and to play at the stadium on Thursday night.”

A win for Carsley’s side would be a huge step towards qualification for the youngsters, who face table-toppers Czech Republic.

And Lescott, who joined England’s coaching set-up in August, is hoping for the fans to come out in numbers to support the Young Lions and push them over the line.

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“We’re hoping there’s a good following there on Thursday supporting the nation’s up and coming stars.

“It would be good for them to come out in their numbers and make it as hostile, as I have experience as an opposition player at Turf Moor over the years.

“I’m sure it won’t be a pleasant experience for the away team, but it will be fantastic for us, and we hope there’s a crowd there to get behind the boys.

“With us not being top of the group at the moment, it’s key that we win this game, but as long the group is in our control, we’ll keep fighting.

“Our aspirations are to qualify for the U21 Euros and to get as many of the boys in this group into Gareth Southgate’s senior squad.” Said the former Manchester City and England defender.

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