Burnley Manager Owen Coyle has challenged the Club’s new professionals to grab their big chance.
The Clarets recently offered professional terms to Apprentices Chris Anderson, Wes Fletcher (pictured), Alex-Ray Harvey, Chris Lynch and Nik Kudiersky.
Fletcher, bagged 27 Youth team goals last season and trained with Coyle’s first team squad during their promotion winning campaign.
Coyle has urged the new intake to folow the lead of Jay Rodriguez, Alex MacDonald and Adam Kay, who have all impressed in their first year as rookie professionals.
He said:
“I think it’s testimony to how well those kids have been doing this year in the Youth team and I think it shows the way we’re planning ahead for the future of the Football Club that we really see young players coming through and hopefully going on to play for the Burnley first team.”
“It will be up to them now. We can impart knowledge and experience but ultimately, as the likes of Jay and Alex have shown, it’s when you cross that white line you have to go and deliver.”
Coyle added:
“Wes joined in training with us the other day and was terrific. He is one, along with those other boys, that have got chances.”
“The great thing is, with Wes being a striker, the two midfield lads and the two centre backs, they all play in different positions and it will be up to them to push each other on.”
“That sense of competition and rivalry, as long as it’s harnessed in the right way – which it is at this football club – is great for everybody.”
