Former Burnley YT skipper inspired by FA Cup adventure

Clitheroe FC manager David Lynch is feeling inspired after being reunited with former boss Neil Young in the FA Cup.
Marine AFC manager Neil YoungMarine AFC manager Neil Young
Marine AFC manager Neil Young

The 27-year-old was involved in Marine's third round tie against Jose Mourinho's Spurs earlier in the month, an experience he described as 'invaluable'.

The Blues boss was an unused substitute at The Marine Travel Arena, but being able to monitor Young at such close quarters has taught him so much from a managerial perspective.

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The pair worked together for a short spell at Altrincham FC in 2016 after the former Burnley youth team captain had left Shawbridge.

Former Burnley FC Youth Team captain David LynchFormer Burnley FC Youth Team captain David Lynch
Former Burnley FC Youth Team captain David Lynch

He said: "He helped me when I was at Altrincham and he put me in contact with Billy Heath at Halifax Town so I felt it was an opportunity to go and learn from him that I couldn't turn down.

"It was great to be around the Tottenham Hotspur game and that experience was invaluable. That's only going to help me as a young manager.

"It was unbelievable. I wasn't expecting to get on to the pitch because you've got to reward the lads that worked hard to get you there."

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Young had already achieved so much in the game before their paths had crossed at Moss Lane.

In his first of four successive promotions, starting in 2010, the ex-Tranmere Rovers youth player guided Colwyn Bay to the Northern Premier League's top flight via the play-offs.

He then became the first manager of the newly formed Chester FC where he recorded an unprecedented triple promotion, each one as champions.

The last of those three titles, which took the Seals to the Conference Premier, landed Young the accolade of Conference North Manager of the Year.

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"He's been brilliant with me and he knows that it would have been invaluable from a managerial perspective, especially for a young player/manager that's learning his trade, to shadow an experienced manager and two experienced assistants," said Lynch.

"To be around a game of that magnitude was unbelievable and I can't thank him enough for the opportunity.

"It was great to see how a manager of Neil's experience dealt with it all. Neil is certainly a manager that I've worked under before that I've taken bits off, similar to Liam Watson and Billy Heath."

Lynch, whose ambition has been fueled by the success of his NPL North West Division rivals, added: "He's a brilliant man, I've got massive respect for him and I firmly believe he'll take Marine up at least two levels with what he's got.

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"He's well above that level with everything he does in terms of attention to detail and his professionalism. That's what I'm trying to strive towards.

"It makes you want to go out and do the same next year. It shows that anything is possible.If we can bring that kind of success to Clitheroe it would be brilliant."

Lynch, who also played for Burscough, Workington, Southport and Alfreton Town, believes others in the game could learn a thing or two from his good fortune.

The Blues player-manager has always had the right mentality, he's trained hard, stayed disciplined, showed a good attitude and left everything out on the pitch.

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And now he's reaping the rewards. "I've taken an unbelievable amount from it and I'm sure it will help me progress," said Lynch, who also took his chance to pick the brains of assistants Gary Jones and Alan Morgan.

"It's probably testament to the way I do things and I've said that to a lot of the lads who have come into the building: 'Never burn bridges with a manager'.

"You should never down tools, always train right, do everything properly, regardless of whether the manager is picking you or not.

"Everybody speaks in football and you never know where a manager might end up or what opportunities might arise. I've ended up helping out a former manager in the third round of the FA Cup live on BBC."

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Lynch added: "I'm thrilled that Neil even considered bringing me in for a game like that. I couldn't turn down that opportunity to go and learn.

"I've already seen things where I can improve. If I can implement one of those things and it leads to success then it's been invaluable.

"Neil is meticulous in his preparation and the way he does things, he tells you what he's thinking, he won't hide anything. I'm delighted for Neil because he put a lot of time into it.

"With anything in life, the harder you work the luckier you get."

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