BURNLEY'S youngsters showed the future is bright when they packed some real Premiership punch in a recent tournament.

The Clarets Centre Of Excellence foought above well their weight during the annual Everton Football Club Academy Tournament in Liverpool.

Both the under 13 and under 14 sides won their age groups, with the under 15s and under 12s losing in the semi-finals.

Burnley's youth development officer Jeff Taylor was delighted with the results, especially considering that they came in a tournament comprising Premiership clubs and Academies such as Blackburn, Newcastle, Arsenal, Leeds United, Chelsea, Fulham and Everton.

Taylor said: "The display by all the age groups demonstrated that the standards at The Centre Of Excellence are on a par with many Premier Academy sides.

"This is a tremendous boost for the youngsters at the club and for Burnley, who have continued to support the youth development in spite of the cash restraints.

"It is even more remarkable when one considers the millions that some of the clubs are throwing at their Academies."

The four-day event saw Burnley finish as an overall second behind hosts Everton, and the Clarets' young guns were the only Centre Of Excellence team and non-Premiership team to win an age group.

Pride of place goes to the under 13s, grouped with Newcastle, Everton, Bolton, Arsenal and Wolves, as they won every match without conceding a goal, including Everton in the final.

Just as successful were the under 14's, who, despite losing their opening group game to Wolves, beat Bolton and Newcastle before knocking out Everton in the semi-finals and then getting revenge against Wolves in the final.

Clarets thinking about tomorrow

BURNLEY FC are putting women first by taking part in the Nationwide Supporters Of Tomorrow scheme.

The scheme has been designed by Nationwide to encourage clubs in the three divisions of the Football League to promote female interest in football.

In addition, Nationwide - an official partner of The Football Association and women's football - is supporting clubs as they encourage women to attend Football League action.

Burnley's scheme was kicked off last week as Nationwide handed over a support grant cheque of over £10,000 to club community manager Nick Harrison at last Tuesday's home match against Nottingham Forest.

To find out how to get involved with the Club's scheme, contact the Community Department on 0870 443 1882.

Any girls interested in getting involved in football in the local area can call Burnley's Women and Girls Football Development Officer Alex Bell on 0870 443 1882 or the FA's 'Girls Get Involved' hotline on 0845 310 8555.

Two bees or not two bees?

THE buzz around Turf Moor is that Bumble, joint mascot with Bertie Bee, has joined the great hive in the sky after being strangely conspicuous by his absence this season.

Well at the risk of ruining future home games for all Father Christmas-believing youngsters, I feel it is my duty to report that the reason behind Bertie's costume lying idle is due to a lack of personnel.

The man behind the 'original' Bertie joined the police force, while his replacement hardly had time to be measured up for his head before joining the Army.

A new Bumble was set to be given his wings ahead of today's clash with Bradford, unless, of course, there is another sting in the tail. Sorry, couldn't resist it!

Johnson has ties in Notts

FORMER Clarets striker David Johnson is one of the nice guys of football, as a terrific gesture last week showed.

In contrast to high-flying Forest, City rivals Notts County are fighting for their financial life at present, but their fund was boosted by a £500 cheque delivered by hand by the Reds ace.

I'm sure all Clarets fans will join me in wishing Jonno a speedy recovery from the broken leg he sustained last weekend.

Calling Elvis

OUT of duty, the Burnley press gang stood to listen to Nigel Worthington's post-match assessment following last weekend's 2-0 win over the Clarets.

The City chief revealed that on-loan striker Elvis Hammond had returned to Fulham after picking up an injury.

No sooner had Worthington left the room, than someone who shall remain nameless piped up: "Ladies and Gentlemen. Elvis has left the building!"

Remember the 3rd of November

BURNLEY Reserves' Pontins League clash with Bradford City, originally scheduled for Turf Moor on Wednesday, November 5, will now be played at the same venue two days earlier, Monday, November 3 (kick-off 7pm).