BURNLEY have made four new appointments in a bid to strengthen their off-field management and operations team.

Russell Ball – who has acted as an advisor to ALK Capital since their takeover last year - has been named as the club’s head of matchday operations.

Ball has over 25 years of experience in real estate and has overseen stadium improvements such as the new hospitality facilities at Turf Moor.

The Clarets have also appointed Harriet Harbidge as their first-ever fan experience manager in an effort to improve supporters’ experiences at Turf Moor.

Harbidge – who served as the club’s supporter liaison officer from 2016 to 2019 – joins from Manchester City.

Lola Ogunbote also joins as Burnley FC Women’s first business lead as part of their aim to professionalise the women’s club.

Ogunbote arrives while serving as executive director of Goals for Girls, an American non-profit organisation, and previously worked for Arsenal as an international community coach.

Gurpri Bains completes the quartet of appointments, joining as equality, diversity and inclusion lead as part of Burnley’s ‘One Club for All’ ethos.

Bains previously worked on the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games and also spent time at the Aston Villa Foundation.

Chairman Alan Pace told the club's website: “I am delighted to complete these four key appointments, as the next stage in our long-term growth plan for the club.

“I look forward to working with Russell, Harriet, Lola and Gurpri as part of our expanding management and operations team at Turf Moor. This is an exciting time to join the club as we continue moving forward both on and off the pitch."