Ashley on returning to the Alex with Burnley

Former Crewe Alexandra star Ashley Westwood returned to Gresty Road on Saturday with Burnley for the pre-season friendly between the sides.

Westy joined the Alex academy aged six & graduated to the first team to help the Club secure promotion from League Two in 2012 before being sold to Aston Villa for a seven-figure-sum.

After the friendly, the 29-year-old reflected on fond memories from The Alex & his time with the Club.

Westwood told Burnley FC media: “As soon as the fixture was announced I thought that surely the Gaffer would have to send me here & thankfully he has done. It’s always nice to come back to your old Club, especially being here since the age of six so it was nice.

“It’s been a few years but it was great to come back and to be fair they played very well. That’s what Crewe do, they play football the right way & hopefully they have a good year.

“It holds a special place in my heart & they've made me the player I am today & I’m very thankful for that.

“My old man can’t get to many Burnley games because the fixtures clash [he's the electrican at Crewe]. It’s a real small, family club & it’s a great place to play football.”

Watch Westy's thoughts on returning to Gresty Road for free on YouTube below.