There have been radical changes in the Youth structure at Burnley Football Club in preparation for the EPPP initiative.
Former Centre of Excellence Manager Vince Overson has now formally left Turf Moor after a period on garden leave. Overson was of course a former Burnley defender who made over 250 appearances for the club before taking on a role behind the scenes working initially on the club`s Community Scheme. In 2004 he joined the club on a permanent basis becoming Head of Youth Development before taking on the role of Centre of Excellence Manager. He was involved in the development of many young players through the Centre of Excellence, the coaching process and eventually apprenticeships. A number of the players coming under Overson`s wing also made it to through to professional contracts with the club.
It is with a sad heart therefore that we see Vince depart after such a successful career developing our young talent.
Burnley though have now handed another former player, John Mullin (pictured above) a full-time coaching role in their youth system. Mullin had been coaching part time in the club`s centre of excellence after retiring from football in 2010 following a period at Accrington Stanley. The Bury-born former defender had two spells at Burnley as a player. He started his professional career at Turf Moor and played for them between 1992-1995. Mullin also rejoined them in 1999 on a permanent basis following a loan spell from Sunderland in 1998 before leaving to sign for Rotherham United in 2001. During his career he also played for Preston (on loan from Sunderland) and Tranmere Rovers.
Mullin now 36 is currently studying for his UEFA A licence and this week it was announced he had been given a full-time role as the co-ordinator of young players between the ages five and 11
‘John is someone who came through the system and is a perfect advert for what we are all about in the youth department,’ said Jason Blake.
Burnley had a reshuffle in their youth set-up after the announcement of the new Elite Player Performance Plan (or EPPP) in English football, which allows Premier League clubs to take emerging players from Football League sides for a fraction of the price they would previously have paid.
Director of Youth Development, Martin Dobson left the club at the end of his contract in October and the writing was also on the wall for Vince Overson after being put on garden leave at about the same time. Jason Blake took over as the acting head of youth and more changes can be expected in the Youth Development set-up moving forward. Vital Burnley will bring you news of any further developments in due course.
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