Kilby sees the future

7:08am Tuesday 24th July 2007

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By Gary York »

BARRY Kilby yesterday outlined his vision for the future at Burnley - vowing to see the club revive its reputation for producing the best young talent.

As part of the club's sensational redevelopment plans, the Clarets are to spend around £2million on a new state-of-the-art Academy at its Gawthorpe training ground.

Burnley currently have a school of excellence but chairman Kilby believes upgrading to an Academy will enable the Clarets to compete with England's biggest clubs and attract more promising youngsters.

Work on the facility in Padiham is expected to begin next summer, as the fourth phase of Burnley's £20million redevelopment programme.

And Kilby, who is in his ninth year as Clarets chairman, cannot wait for the builders to move in.

"We really do need Academy status. That is one thing that we have been lacking in the time that I've been chairman," said Kilby.

"I'm pleased about the Gawthorpe development.

"It's important because it is part of our drive to reach Academy status and, hopefully, that will be another brick in the wall building us towards the Premiership.

"Clubs like Burnley need kids coming through. We were once famous for it.

"Gawthorpe was (former chairman) Bob Lord's vision back in 1959. He was very much ahead of his time.

"We were famous for bringing young players through and I hope we will see that production line come through again for Burnley.

"We've fallen behind and lost our way quite a bit. We have been trying to get our way back to that standard."

Kilby admits the competition for recruiting the best youngsters is fierce with a number of North West rivals boasting academies.

And he revealed that while Burnley are spending heavily to bridge the gap, part of that investment includes bolstering the club's scouting network.

He added: "We've got big competition in the area. Blackburn Rovers are on our doorstep and they are well organised.

"We are looking to get more local kids and improve our scouting network as well. We are doing a full overhaul.

"We need this building there to get the Academy status and attract the kids and the parents will think it's a good place for them. It's all part of moving the club forward."

Millionaire director Brendan Flood, who is digging into his pockets to fund Burnley's futuristic redevelopment project, agrees that a Clarets Academy is essential.

He said: "Our last two people that we've had come through the ranks - Chris McCann and Kyle Lafferty - are in the team now."

"But they came in when they were about 16 so we need to capture them a bit earlier ahead of the likes of Blackburn and an Academy will enable us to do that."