Newcastle United's Dan Burn and (right) in action for Birmingham City
Newcastle United's Dan Burn and (right) in action for Birmingham City
Lee Clark knows all about the pride which comes with pulling on the black-and-white shirt of Newcastle United as a hometown hero. The Geordie midfielder starred for the club in two spells, playing a key part in Kevin Keegan's side which took the Premier League by storm in the mid-1990s.
So you can bet he will have watched on with pride as Dan Burn scored the opening goal for the Magpies in last weekend's Carabao Cup final victory over Liverpool - before winning his first England cap against Albania on Friday night.
But for Clark, the link goes beyond North East connections. Back in 2013, he signed a then young Burn on loan for Birmingham City having identified him as a defender of outstanding promise. But while he was and remains a huge fan of the United star, he admits no one could have predicted his meteroic rise.
"I'd known about him from a younger age, when he first went to Darlington," Clark told out sister title BirminghamLive. "He impressed at Darlington and got the move to Fulham as a young player. I and my recruitment team had watched him the season before, when he was on loan at Yeovil. I actually went down to the play-off final that he played and scored in.
"He was outstanding on the day and scored a great header. I came away and he was my number one loan target. I knew he would do a good job for us. When we secured him on a season-long loan I was delighted.
"Even at such a young age then, you could see he was a leader. His training was just how he played - small sided games or specific sessions when there were two teams involved, he'd be trying to win the game. He had leadership skills at such a young age, he had a bubbly personality."
Burn was recalled by Fulham in 2014, before going on to impress for Wigan Athletic and landing his Premier League chance with Brighton. However, it was when Eddie Howe brought him to Newcastle that his career really took off, culminating in Friday's England appearance.
"It was his dream move, as a Geordie, back to Newcastle. It has all worked out really well," Clark added. "This past week, with the England call up and goal in the final, has been unforgettable for him. You cannot predict what'll come 12 years down the line. In the last two years he's played Champions League football with Newcastle and now he's the man of the match in a Carabao Cup final and had a call up - it's fully deserved, he's been so consistent for Newcastle at centre half and left-back.
"Anyone who says that 'yeah, you can see it straight away', they're not telling you the truth, because you just can't with young players. If it was down to his personality, his attitude, his work ethic and his application, you'd have said yes, he'll go and play at the highest level. They were second to none, but you have to have things fall into place.
"You have to be playing in teams and under managers who can help you get there, and he's the perfect fit for Eddie Howe and what Newcastle are about. He's a local lad, he can help with players joining from afar, if they're from UK or overseas to show what the club means to the city and supporters."
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England shirt sale
Get 25% off England shirts ahead of Dan Burn debut
Dan Burn, Tino Livramento and Anthony Gordon have been called up for England duty and the official England Store has cut up to 25% off the latest shirts and full kits ahead of the World Cup qualifiers.
Fans can save up to £25 on the current Home and Away shirts, including Womens and Kids editions. There's also discounts on shirts with 'Gordon 18' printing, with Burn and Livramento shirts expected to hit the shelves soon.