Burnley's academy has been awarded Category One status ahead of their return to the Premier League.
Chris Casper, who was appointed academy manager six months ago and whose own son Charlie is in the academy, says the achievement is a big fillip to the club, shortly after they won promotion under Scott Parker.
He told BBC Radio Lancashire: "It will open a massive door for the games programme, recruitment of players and extra funding, so it's massively important for the club and testament to the staff and to the ownership who have backed us.