Burnley’s Assistant manager Jason Tindall and first-team skipper Chris McCann have paid tribute to the Clarets Youth team as the prospect of an FA Youth Cup semi-final with local rivals Blackburn Rovers begins to sink in at Turf Moor.
Burnley booked their two-legged date with their fiercest rivals by beating Fulham 3-1 on a magical night at Fulham on Wednesday evening.
Tindall was among the crowd at Craven Cottage and he watched on as Terry Pashley’s men cast aside the blow of conceding an early goal to come back and record a famous win with two goals from Cameron Howieson either side of half time and a superb finish from Shay McCartan.
“It was a terrific result and a fantastic performance. What the Youth Team has achieved this season is incredible,” Tindall told the club’s website.
“To knock-out three Academy sides like they have done, especially a Fulham side that was well fancied in the competition and has invested a lot of money in their team, was a credit to all involved.”
“It’s a great achievement for them, it’s great for the football club and should make for an entertaining semi-final against our closest rivals.”
“It’s something to look forward for everybody. I’m certainly looking forward to it and I’m sure the players are.”
Meanwhile, McCann who himself came through the ranks at Turf Moor added:
“They have done really, really well to get to this stage of the competition. They have put out a lot of quality teams and Blackburn in the next round is going to be the talk of the town,” said McCann.
“I never had the privilege of getting that far in the competition so for them it’s amazing.”
“It’s a fantastic achievement for everyone of them and for Pash to have this success is long overdue for him.”
“He’s a fantastic coach and is so bubbly and enthusiastic. Every time you see him he is full of beans so it’s a great achievement for him as well.”
