Burnley FC unveil ambitious new stadium plans - and want help from Prince Charles

Burnley FC, the English soccer club, have unveiled ambitious plans for a major redevelopment of the historic Turf Moor stadium, that could include the creation of a 4,000-capacity concert venue and the world's first 'football university'.

Burnley have played at Turf Moor for more than 125 years. The stadium's current capacity of 22,546 will be increased to closer to the 30,000 mark, with plans for the redevelopment of the David Fishwick Stand overhauled and the transformation of the Cricket Field End - including the creation of the university behind the stand, on land currently occupied by Burnley Cricket Club - expected to trigger major redevelopment in the area.

The plans were presented to Prince Charles on Friday, when the heir to the throne visited Burnley, and club officials are keen to work closely with the prince's charities on the project.

"If you dare to dream, dream big and this is not just about Burnley Football Club, this is about the whole town and potentially leaving a massive legacy brought on by promotion to the Premier League," said said Burnley chief executive Paul Fletcher to the Lancashire Evening Telegraph.

"We want to open a football university - the first ever in this country. There are plenty of places where you can study football itself but nowhere you can learn about the basic financial, commercial and social aspects of the game, from advertising and pitch technology to the business side. We think we are better placed than most to do this, as one of the founder members of the League, known throughout their world for our contribution to football."

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'Club chiefs have been in discussions with Liverpool John Moores University about launching the football university but no details have been discussed about potential courses to date,' reports the newspaper. 'Supporters of the scheme hope that it will provide a catalyst for the regeneration of nearby Yorkshire Street, with the town's famous Straight Mile canal linking the university and a student hub in Weaver's Triangle.'

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