Clarets skipper Ben Mee reflects on 'rollercoaster' few weeks including birth of baby girl

The popular centre-half spoke to 5 Live Breakfast on a "rollercoaster" few weeks including his passionate post-match interview attacking the flying of a 'White Lives Matter Burnley' banner during his team’s match against Manchester City in June, which earned him global praise from supporters of the Black Lives Matter movement.

Amidst the attention, Mee’s partner Sarah gave birth to daughter Olive. Born 16 weeks prematurely, it’s been a difficult period for the couple.

However, speaking this morning on 5 Live Breakfast, he provided a positive update on his daughter’s wellbeing and revealed that she has finally had her mask removed.

“She weighed 1lb 2 ounces when she arrived. My wife was in and out of hospital for a number of weeks before she arrived, she had a tear in her placenta which ended up increasing in size. We knew she was going to come early, we just wanted to get as far as possible with the pregnancy and give her the best chance, really.”

“24 weeks was a big milestone for ourselves and she managed to get to 24 and 4 days. We’ve never been so nervous.

“We’re still going through it, we’re not at the end of it, but the rollercoaster seems to have settled down a bit and she’s progressed really well.”

“She’s been increasing really well in her breathing. This morning we’ve just had good news that she’s gone onto high-flow. We’ve literally just seen in a picture that she’s had her hat off and her mask off for the first time.”

“We can see pretty much her full face now, so we’re excited to go and see her this morning.”

However, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, precautions initially meant Ben couldn’t see his daughter together with his partner:

“Because of everything that was going on, we had to go in separately to go in and see her, which was challenging. We couldn’t see her together. That’s changed the last couple of weeks, which is nice," he added.

And on the positive global response to his comments on the White Lives Matter banner flown over the Etihad Mee said he was humbled.

“I was really humbled by the response I’ve been getting. It’s humbling but it was nothing I ever expected to have to say and speak up about, but I think more of us should take that stance.”

“On the pitch has been fantastic – the attitude and application shown from everyone has been first class. It’s turned out to be a really good season for ourselves.”

Responding to rumours regarding manager Sean Dyche’s future at the club, Mee said: “We all hope he stays. He’s done a fantastic job for us, so hopefully he can stick around.”