CLARETS co-chairman John Banaszkiewicz went back to the classroom to give life lessons to students at his old school.

More than 140 pupils and staff at St John Fisher and Thomas More RC High School, Colne, heard his advice on getting into business.

But year 11s seemed more interested in getting autographs from some friends Mr Banaszkiewicz brought along – Clarets star striker, Danny Ings, and goalkeeper Tom Heaton.

The players fielded questions from dozens of fans, including 15-year-old Poppy Connelly, granddaughter of Clarets legend John Connelly, whose goals helped the club win the Division One title in 1960.

Mr Banaszkiewicz, who grew up in Nelson, was visiting the school for the first time since 1979, and recalled taking part in a debating society meeting in the same hall.

He talked about his education at the school and Nelson and Colne College and his time at university, and Freight Investor Services Ltd, one of the world’s leading freight and commodity brokers, which he co-founded in 2002.

He said: “It’s a 24/7 market so you need different people in different time zones; people who are team players, who like pressure and like stress.”

Mr Banaszkiewicz was also joined by Ian Woan, Burnley’s assistant manager, and Neil Hart, the club’s head of community, who gave out 140 free tickets for today’s top-of-the-table clash with Leicester City.

Mr Banaszkiewicz, a director at Turf Moor’s UCFB College of Football Business, said: “We’re trying to give kids the opportunity to succeed in life and be part of the community.”

David Swarbrick, head of year 11 at Fisher More, said: “It was a great opportunity for our students, who at this time of year are looking at motivation and hard work.

“I don’t think any other football club would do this. We should all feel very, very privileged that they have come here today."