FOREVER CLARET: DEAN WEST

Main Club Sponsor

TICKETS

SHOP

In this week's 'Forever Claret' we caught up with former Burnley defender Dean West following his visit to Turf Moor

2023-11-28T13:22:03.499Z

FOREVER CLARET: DEAN WEST

In this week's 'Forever Claret' we caught up with former Burnley defender Dean West following his visit to Turf Moor

2023-11-28T13:22:03.499Z

In this week's 'Forever Claret' we caught up with former Burnley defender Dean West following his visit to Turf Moor

Former fan favourite Dean West described being back at Turf Moor last weekend as ‘a special place’ for him as the ex-defender attended as the Clearly Interior Longside Lounge and half-time guest for Saturday’s fixture.

West spent five seasons with the Clarets, which included a promotion in the 1999/2000 season, after joining from Bury following Stan Ternent’s appointment and the former right-back had nothing but fond memories from his time in East Lancashire.

The current Lincoln City academy coach reflected on his time with Burnley and the enjoyment of returning to Turf Moor as a guest: “It’s lovely to be back here today. I always enjoyed coming back to Burnley. It’s a really special place for me.

“I really enjoyed my five seasons here. We had a bit of success, promotion and it was really enjoyable overall, I met some great people who I am still friends with now.

“You always remember your promotions and any success. That’s what football’s about, it’s enjoying it but when you get success that’s what you really enjoy and remember forever.”

West added: “We had the two seasons where we finished seventh, just outside the playoffs. We had some really good seasons but just didn’t quite get over the mark.

“There was a really good blend in the team though. Obviously, we had some of the lads from Bury where we had success. Then coming here, we joined together again and mixed with the players already here and it just worked.

“We managed to get a great team spirit you know and that contributed to the success in that promotion season, the group were so close on and off the pitch.”

Speaking about the current Burnley side, West had plenty of praise for Vincent Kompany, his side, the ‘project’ and the success achieved last season.

“The success last season, getting promoted and ripping it up like they did was just amazing to watch.

“They play great football and they are still trying to play their style and with Vincent as the manager he is going to carry that on and it’s just a process.

“Getting used to the Premier League, the speed of it, the physicality and once one or two results come the confidence will follow.

“There’s some fantastic players here and under the guidance of Vincent I’m sure things will soon start to click for them.”

Prior to speaking to the guests in the Clearly Interiors Longside Lounge, West gave a mention to the new look Turf Moor and was highly impressed with the maintenance and facilities work carried out since his time playing for the Club.

"It's fantastic. It's a proper Premier League ground this and there's been some really good improvements carried out.

"Really good food in here, a nice environment, good entertainment, it's just a really good matchday experience.

"I love this today. Being served from the table, having a lovely meal and drinks with my family as guests with me.

"It's the modern game now and this is like the core things of what a Premier League Club is, it's great to see it to be honest."