Friendly fixture seals growing bond

EVO-STIK Northern Premier League Padiham are set to host Premier League bound Burnley in pre-season as part of the growing relationship between the two Lancashire clubs.

With the Storks having access to Burnley’s Gawthorpe training facility and the Clarets using the Arbories Memorial Sports Ground for many of their academy fixtures, the clubs will strengthen their bonds on Tuesday 12 August when they meet at the First Division North ground in a 7pm kick-off.

The Storks, who also helped the Clarets Mad Supporters raise more than £3,000 last month for the Macmillan Cancer Fund when they hosted the fans group’s annual end of season charity fixture, announced that they were playing the Championship runners-up, pictured, on Monday.

As part of their growing involvement in the women’s game, Storks officials also announced that they are looking for a new manager to guide their ladies team which plays in the North West Women’s Regional League on Sundays and enters the FA Women’s Challenge Cup and Lancashire FA County Women’s Cup.

Applications should be sent to Padiham FC Secretary Alan Smith, 242 Burnley Road, Padiham, Lancashire, BB12 8SS.