I was fortunate enough last week to win a competition via Dafabet,
We were met outside the security entrance and taken over the river for a guided tour of the complex, it’s mind blowing seeing the ongoing pitch work and the quality of the training facilities, The main thing which was really noticeable was the warm welcome we received from every body , without exception every body smiled and gave us a warm welcome, we visited the dinning area , players lounge, changing room, media lab,hydrotherapy room , and finally the gym and indoor pitch, after about a hour inside we were allowed to watch the 1st team train and then allowed to speak to the players, I’m not going to comment on who sat out training or did gym work, as it’s not appropriate,but will only say training is super intensive and taken very seriously,
I must really thank Dafabet and the clubs staff especially Darren Bentley for what was a fabulous day out and again stress how welcome every made us feel,
P.s.. wade Elliot made a surprise appearance with the stoke u23 team and I finally got to thank him for “that “ goal

WOW

Uncle Albert...

There was so many positives which I could bore you with.. but every player was laughing and joking, the banter between the squad members was hilarious with the Irish lads the victim of many jokes,
Also the whole complex is spotlessly clean,and very high tech..but again I must mention the way in which the team were very approachable and friendly, even the laundry kit men were super knowledgeable and answered all our questions with a smile,
It’s days like this which make you realise how lucky we are to have SD in charge as his footprint is all over the complex and it’s a credit to the club

"There was so many positives which I could bore you with.. but every player was laughing and joking, the banter between the squad members was hilarious with the Irish lads the victim of many jokes"

I'd remove that with our reputation for being a racist football club increasing by the day.

I had the privilege of working there fitting all the seating in the main changing rooms , the acadamy ones even the pool areas as a lifelong claret l was like a kid in a sweet shop .It is truly a special place

Lucky you

I’ve only made it as far as the “sport hall” for a coaching session with kids team and a meeting room for a debrief and could tell from that how impressive it was

As my teenage daughter might say, "well jel"
UTC

Good stuff lifelongclaret, we'd all loved to have been there in your place.

On 2nd thoughts lifelong, massive, massive jel.

Isn’t all this just bloody marvellous?

Thanks for sharing.

I'm more than slightly envious. How would one go about entering such a competition?

It is amazing but my thoughts were that if it wasn't for Sir Dyche it would make them all soft.

Logged on just to 'like' this. Thanks for sharing Lifelong.

UTC

Falcon wrote:I'm more than slightly envious. How would one go about entering such a competition?

It was a competition on twitter bye Dafabet and the club

Nothing stopping anyone going to watch academy sides on a Sunday u9s 11s 13s are playing Aston villa Sunday normally 11am kick off ,you won't get a tour but will get to see some good footy and see the progression on view

Firstly, fantastic day for you lifelongclaret and I know the staff and players would make you feel very welcome. There really is something about this squad of players we have, I saw them at close quarters on Monday night at the POTY with both kids and adults, signing stuff for them, doing selfies etc. They are an absolute credit to our football club. It's not always been like that I can assure you. It's initially down to Dyche and that's why it's key for him to bring in the right characters and when you get those right characters, this is how it is. They are making it all a very special time at our football club, on and off the pitch.

I did the tour last year and had the added bonus that it was Sean Dyche showing us around and it also included a presentation on motivation from SD followed by a Q & A.

Just like lifelongclaret I was amazed at the whole thing. The people, the facilities....everything. It was hard to believe this was Burnley FC. I know the chairman and board deserve a lot of credit in appointing SD but I doubt anyone expected for one second it would end up like it has. Just goes to show you can do all the due diligence you want in appointing a manager but it’s a fine line between ending up with a Pardew or a Coleman and SD.

Great read

Would love to do the same as this Lifelong, as would thousands of others no doubt. Wonder whether the club could do a "virtual tour" exactly the same as this? That would be amazing to see

clitheroeclaret2 wrote:Great read

Would love to do the same as this Lifelong, as would thousands of others no doubt. Wonder whether the club could do a "virtual tour" exactly the same as this? That would be amazing to see

Not quite a virtual tour but still a good watch if you have not seen this

https://m.youtube.com/watch?t=3s&v=Mf5i00jOQXE" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Great post, Lifelong!

Did Wade have anything to say about the new place?
Was always a big fan of his and still reckon he left a year too early.

My very, very lucky other half was invited in her political capacity to attend a seminar at the Barnfield on 13th April, day before the Leicester game and the meeting was addressed by himself The gaffer and what a guy he is. The lucky one returned hanging on to every word he said and he personally took them on the full tour afterwards and the only room they were not allowed into was the random drug testing area she said you could feel the sense of happy togetherness and added "why wouldn't you be happy if that's where you went to work every day", probably the clubs finest investment. utc.

Buxtonclaret wrote:Great post, Lifelong!

Did Wade have anything to say about the new place?
Was always a big fan of his and still reckon he left a year too early.

Thank you Buxton, Wade was on the other side of the river with the stoke under 23s, we were lucky to spot him,so only got the time for a photo and to thank him for that goal, he just politely laughed as jack cork described the Wembley goal as crap while laughing as my son had his photo,
The funniest and seemingly most down to earth was Ashley Barnes, he did come across very well, and James tarks was ever so funny and constantly smiling

My son is playing for the development side against the U13's academy tonight at Barnfield and I'm really looking forward to seeing it up close and personal for the 1st time since the re-development.

What an uplifting and inspiring thread.

Thanks for sharing lifelongclaret.

Absolutely heartwarming thread. Brilliant.

And let's not forget the input of our board.
Magnificent financial management.

Long may it continue.