Turf Titbits

Alex MacDonald Plays a Blinder

Clarets 18-year-old striker Alex MacDonald scored a brace and was made captain for the Scotland Under 19s match against France yesterday afternoon. The friendly game was played at the famous French training base in Clairefontaine.

He scored the two goals in the first half to ensure Scotland led 2-0 at half-time. France though stormed back in the second half to win 3-2.

Speaking to the Lancashire Telegraph, Alex said:

"It was a nice surprise when I was handed the captaincy before the game and I was made up.

"It is always an honour to play for your country, but to then be made captain by the manager was a very proud moment for me."

Alex, who qualifies to play for Scotland due to his Scottish father has now been selected for the Scotland Under 19 squad three times and made his debut against the Netherlands last September. He will now be hoping his performance in this warm-up game yesterday will ensure his selection for the UEFA Under 19s Championships elite qualifying rounds commencing May 27.

Well done Alex, a star in the making and he's ours! Let's hope we soon see him adding to his five substitute appearances
for the Clarets this season.

Burnley's League Fixture Changes

Our exploits in the FA Cup and the effects of the recent inclement snowy weather have wreaked havoc on our League fixture programme with the FA Cup replays and re-arranged games affecting two matches as follows:

Ipswich at Portman Road

This was originally scheduled to be played on Saturday, March 7th but we now have our 5th Round FA Cup match against Arsenal at the Emirates on the Sunday, 8th March.

The game at Portman Road has therefore provisionally been changed to the night of Tuesday, March 17, at 7.45pm.

However, it could be changed again to April 7th if Burnley secure a replay against Arsenal or reach the sixth round.

Crystal Palace at Turf Moor

This was originally going to be played on the night of Tuesday 10th March but this is too close to our game at the Emirates on the Sunday before and has been put back a night to Wednesday 11th March at 7.45pm

Owen Coyle Still Plays Football You Know!

Owen Coyle is to represent an All-Ireland side at next month's Nationwide Home Nations Cup in Liverpool.

Ireland compete against England, Scotland and Wales at the Echo Arena in Liverpool on Wednesday, March 25th.

Tickets for the event can be booked at:

www.mastersfootball.com/homenations2009.htm

Burnley to feature in Sky Masters

Burnley Football Club will be represented for the first time in the Sky Masters Cup in the summer.

The Clarets team will be made up of former players and they will compete in the North West regional heat of the televised tournament along with the local enemy, Blackburn Rovers! The other sides will be Manchester United, Manchester City, Oldham Athletic and Bolton Wanderers

This event takes place at the MEN Arena in Manchester on Saturday, July 25th.

The event will also be broadcast on Sky Sports, with the eight regional heats leading up to a grand final at the Echo Arena in Liverpool on Sunday, September 6th.

New Shirt & New Shirt Sponsors

The new shirt for the 2009/10 Season will be unveiled later this season but we do know it will be based on the 1959-60 Division One Champions shirt. One thing we also know that will change though is the Sponsors after the club announced this week that Padiham-based firm, Samuel Cooke & Co Ltd will takeover from Hollands.

The local company was founded in 1845 and is one of the largest independent fuel suppliers in the UK. The company will also be sponsors of the Bob Lord Stand for the next five years.

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