BURNLEY’S Under-23s are joining their Blackburn counterparts in playing their home games at Lancashire FA headquarters in Leyland.

The County Ground will host the majority of games for the Clarets youngsters as they step up to Premier League 2 after their academy moved up to Category One status.  

The club has to play a certain amount of development squad games at Turf Moor but will largely be based in Leyland having spent the last three years playing at Curzon Ashton’s Tameside Stadium.

Clarets U23 head coach Steve Stone said: “We have always enjoyed playing at Curzon.

“They have been excellent hosts to us over the past few seasons and we thank them for that.

“But this is a good move for us at a time when we’re going into a higher level of football and we’re looking forward to playing at the LFA.

“Having already played there a few times over the past couple of seasons we know the quality of the pitch and the facilities.

“It’s also a little closer to Burnley for supporters who want to come and watch the team and so it should be a good move for everyone.”

Lancashire FA’s head of commercial and operations, David Chell, said: “I am really pleased to welcome Steve, his coaching staff and the fantastic Clarets fans to the County Ground.

“The pitch has undergone significant improvements in the close season to ensure it continues to offer a premium, professional playing surface.

“We have also added new for next season the 1878 Cafe with its seating terrace overlooking the pitch, which perfect for fans to watch and enjoy all of the action.”

The news comes at the end of a busy week for the Clarets’ Under-23s who have added a number of new faces for their maiden PL2 season.

Goalkeeper  Marc Richter, midfielder Will Rickard and defenders Marcel Elva-Fountaine and Connor Barrett have all checked in at Barnfield this week.