MP Coaching and Burnley FC: A Premier League Experience

Matt Burton • September 29, 2025

This summer, Mike Phelan Coaching hosted its inaugural Premier League Experience camp in partnership with Burnley Football Club. The event took place at Burnley’s Barnfield Training Centre and the Whitehough Outdoor Centre, operated by Burnley FC in the Community.

The first visitors were the San Francisco Glens, led by Director of Football Mike McNeil, who brought along their 2012, 2013, and 2014 squads, along with coaches and parents. The camp offered a behind-the-scenes look at how a Premier League club operates and what the coaching philosophy and expectations are within a Category A academy in the UK.


Beyond football, players and staff took part in a simulated “away day” filled with team-building activities focused on psychological safety and bonding. The Whitehough Challenge featured high-pressure, comfort-zone-breaking tasks that encouraged personal growth, team cohesion, and mutual support. The facility also served as a live sports science lab, testing players’ power, agility, range of movement, and mental resilience through terrain navigation, high wires, and obstacle courses.


Football-specific training sessions were delivered by Category A academy coaches, overseen by Burnley FC’s Head of Coach Development Richard Geoghan and hosted by Academy Manager Chris Casper. The camp was headlined by Burnley’s most decorated former player, Mike Phelan—winner of multiple Premier League titles, a Champions League, and a FIFA Club World Cup. Phelan, still a local resident, leads the rapidly growing coach education company behind the initiative.

On Day 1, players focused on attacking as a unit, creating space individually, and recovering possession after breakdowns in play. They were challenged to train competitively and step outside their comfort zones—into the “learning zone” where growth happens. Visiting coaches were also integral to the experience, engaging with academy staff and Phelan himself to understand the developmental journey toward becoming a Premier League footballer and the expectations at first-team level.


Players and staff were treated to a full tour of the training ground, including a walking seminar with Phelan and Casper. Topics covered included the culture, environment, and multidisciplinary support systems surrounding modern Premier League players. The tour featured the gym, rehabilitation and recovery areas, nutrition stations, performance analysis suites, and strength and conditioning facilities—offering a holistic view of elite football preparation.


On the final day, matches were arranged against Burnley FC Academy development squads and trialists, giving American MLS Next pathway players a chance to test themselves against potential professionals in the English system. The competitive fixtures were held in a professional setting, adding to the authenticity of the experience.


Mike Phelan and his team extend their heartfelt thanks to Academy Manager Chris Casper, Head of Coach Development Richard Geoghan, and Chief of Staff Sean Bai for their support and participation in this groundbreaking football experience. It was a truly memorable, once-in-a-lifetime trip for the San Francisco Glens.


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On Day 1, players focused on attacking as a unit, creating space individually, and recovering possession after breakdowns in play. They were challenged to train competitively and step outside their comfort zones—into the “learning zone” where growth happens. Visiting coaches were also integral to the experience, engaging with academy staff and Phelan himself to understand the developmental journey toward becoming a Premier League footballer and the expectations at first-team level.


Players and staff were treated to a full tour of the training ground, including a walking seminar with Phelan and Casper. Topics covered included the culture, environment, and multidisciplinary support systems surrounding modern Premier League players. The tour featured the gym, rehabilitation and recovery areas, nutrition stations, performance analysis suites, and strength and conditioning facilities—offering a holistic view of elite football preparation.


On the final day, matches were arranged against Burnley FC Academy development squads and trialists, giving American MLS Next pathway players a chance to test themselves against potential professionals in the English system. The competitive fixtures were held in a professional setting, adding to the authenticity of the experience.


Mike Phelan and his team extend their heartfelt thanks to Academy Manager Chris Casper, Head of Coach Development Richard Geoghan, and Chief of Staff Sean Bai for their support and participation in this groundbreaking football experience. It was a truly memorable, once-in-a-lifetime trip for the San Francisco Glens.



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