Former Forest & England International Steve Stone Joins Clarets
Burnley Football Club have this morning announced the appointment of Steve Stone as the Clubs lead U23 Professional Development Coach. The former England international replaces Michael Duff who left the Clarets’ Academy last month to become manager of Cheltenham Town.
Stone enjoyed a magnificent playing career at Nottingham Forest, Aston Villa, Portsmouth and Leeds United whilst being capped by England nine times. He also arrives at Burnley with a wealth of coaching experience gained from five years at Newcastle United.
The Gateshead-born former midfielder worked from U16 teams to first-team level during his time at St.James Park developing young players and bridging the gap to the first-team environment as part of his brief. Stone watched the Clarets U23’s extend their unbeaten run to five games with a 1-1 draw at Liverpool in the Premier League Cup on Sunday before officially starting his new role in charge of the team this morning.
Speaking about his role at Burnley Steve Stone said, “I think this role suits me perfectly for what I’ve done in the past with my coaching. It’s one that excites me as well, from the way Burnley are going with the first team and the way the training ground is set up. Plus the young players are starting to develop and come through the ranks of the club.
I think the job will take time, but Jon Pepper and Andy Farrell as well as Michael Duff before them have done a great job the way the team is playing at the minute. The key is over the next few years, to fill the gap from where these lads are now and to bridge the gap to get them in and around the first team.
Walking into a new football club and having to learn everything from scratch can be difficult sometimes. I’ve obviously got a heads-up having played with Sean Dyche and Ian Woan at Nottingham Forest and now I’m looking forward to using the licence I have to go on and do the job I’ve been brought in to do.”
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