THEY may be at opposite ends of the football pyramid, but there seems to be a special relationship developing between Burnley and Steeton.

The Premier League giants have helped out their near neighbours in the North West Counties League Division One North by loaning them three of their Under-18s players.

Steeton boss Roy Mason issued a rallying cry to the football world due to injuries and absences with the Clarets contacted.

The Turf Moor side duly obliged, and then some, offering goalkeeper Harry Allen, centre-back Udoka Chima and striker Jayden Major on loan.

Both parties will benefit, as the trio immediately played for the Chevrons over the Bank Holiday double header, providing a platform and much-needed experience for them to return to Burnley with.

Allen, who replaced the unavailable Fletcher Paley in goal over Bank Holiday, and Chima and Major, who have both signed short-term deals until the end of September, will get much-needed minutes in the men's semi-professional game.

Indeed Major made an immediate impact, scoring a brace in his second game for Steeton in their 5-2 defeat at Shelley on Bank Holiday Monday. This defeat puts Steeton at the bottom of the Division One North table following the first seven games.

Steeton were 4-0 down at Shelley and then Major grabbed his first in the 70th minute. But Shelley responded with their fifth in the 86th minute. However, Major wrapped up a decent day for him, grabbing his second in injury time.

Mason says he hopes the trio take advantage of their temporary stay with the Cougar Park tenants and, if successful, the move opens the door to further loan moves between the two clubs.

He said: "This is a statement of intent from us.

"It's my job to progress this club.

"It's exciting times, especially for myself. I was in contact with Burnley last year about bringing players on loan.

"Sam Rooke is out for 12 months and we have other players out, so I was looking to bring in new faces.

"We need to use the tools around us. Burnley offered us three players. To get Harry Allen was great, to bring in a 'keeper at such short notice.

"Udoka is strong and physical, he's a big lad. Jayden is a good signing too on loan.

"For these lads coming to us is a good opportunity for them. I took them to see Cougar Park at last Wednesday's match, the three of them are really excited.

"We will review it when the players' loan period is up. Who knows really."

Mason added he hopes to build on his fledgling relationship with Sean Dyche's club.

Mason said: "I'm hoping this is the start of a good relationship with Burnley.

"Hopefully we can do the same with other professional clubs in the area. What we always try to do at Steeton is to look after players.

"It shows professional clubs that players could come here as they will get looked after.

"I always pride myself on developing young players. The three lads see it as a place for them.

"I'm sure they will really go for it with us.

"The first season at this level was about finding our feet, now I want us to kick on."

The trio are part of a collection of young Burnley players heading out on what the club has billed as work experience.

It is a major part of the club's strategy at youth-team level to give them more game-time to enhance their chances of pushing for a place in the u23s set-up in the future.

Jonathan Pepper, the Claret's academy manager, said: "Players going out on work experience forms part of our strategy of ensuring all our scholars from second year onwards, unless they are playing u23s regularly, get experience of playing men's football during their scholarship."