Women's Team Ready For Lift-Off

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Clarets aim to mark new start with FA Cup success

2021-04-01T12:25:17.728Z

Women's Team Ready For Lift-Off

Clarets aim to mark new start with FA Cup success

2021-04-01T12:25:17.728Z

Bee Buzzing At Facing United's Big Guns - Image 3

Burnley FC Women have started life as a fully-fledged part of the football club as they build up to a comeback in the FA Cup.

The women’s team was permitted to restart training at the beginning of the week as grassroots football made its return as part of the Government’s easing of Covid restrictions.

And the Clarets – who face AFC Fylde in the second round of the Cup on Sunday – clocked in at the Barnfield Training Centre for the first time following February’s announcement that the women’s team has become part of the club.

“It's nice to be integrated there,” said Burnley FC Women’s manager Matt Bee following the inaugural session at Barnfield on Wednesday night.

Women's Team Ready For Lift-Off - Image 1

“It's our own private pitch and with it being a Premier League standard training ground that's a massive step forward from what we've had in recent years.

“It just allows us to continue to enhance what we do in training to prepare the players as effectively as possible for upcoming games, albeit one at the moment in the FA Cup but potentially with more to follow that.

“And certainly moving forward into next season and beyond it's fantastic for us to be integrated down there and gives another sense of the team, the players, the staff and everyone really feeling part of the club and fully embedded within in it.”

The club’s long-term aim is for the women’s team to become a professional side and continue to climb the league system from their current position in the FA Women’s National League Northern Premier Division.

Women's Team Ready For Lift-Off - Image 2

Last month the 2020-21 league season was declared null and void because of the impact of Covid-19 which has prevented the Clarets from playing a competitive fixture since last November.

But a return to action in the FA Cup has allowed Bee’s side to play again this season and feel the benefits of training at the Clarets’ main base.

“We have been at quite a few different venues in my time here but this one felt special for them to arrive; just the little things, like pulling into the car park and seeing all the club branding and knowing they are arriving at a training ground where all the male players prepare for Premier League games,” added the women’s team boss.

“It's nice for them to be able share that experience and it's something for us as a club where we are raising the bar.

“In our league there are other teams that are embedded within their men’s club. But for us to be fully embedded in a Premier League club is another real statement from the club in terms of the support they are giving us.

“The players appreciate that. They know it's a massive step forward for us and now it's about us embracing that and going and performing on the pitch.”

Women's Team Ready For Lift-Off - Image 3

The Clarets enjoyed their best ever run in the FA Cup last season when they reached the fourth round before losing to Leicester City Women.

This time they start out at home to league rivals Fylde behind closed doors at Padiham FC on Sunday (KO 2pm) looking to avenge a 2-1 defeat to the ‘Coasters’ – who were second in the 12-team division when action ceased – in September.

And the winners know they will then host either Sunderland or Sheffield in round three with a home tie against Women’s Super League side Manchester United the prize in the last 32 of the competition, which is now in its 51st year.

“We’re positive and focused on what we can do,” said Bee, whose side was eighth in the table with three wins and a draw from their seven games when lockdown hit.

“We’re realistic as well because they were in a good run of form and had got some good points on the board prior to lockdown.

“It's not going to be easy, but we have to embrace the challenge ahead. It's certainly a winnable game and there is a potential for a game after that and then it’s Manchester United in the distance.

“The round after this , if we get through, would be a tough one as well against Sunderland or Sheffield United but it gives you the focus to really attack these games because in football – and especially FA Cup games – anything can happen and there is that game in the distance which could be a special occasion.”