Robertson has stayed in touch with the Clarets since he moved back to Australia following a spell at the club as a youngster between 1997 and 1999.

Robertson, now 32, went on to play for Dundee, St Johnstone and Stockport and returned to Australia play in the 2000 NSL grand final for Wollongong Wolves before returning home for good in 2006 to join Perth Glory and later Sydney FC.

The former Olyroo midfielder capped once for the Socceroos in 2001 retains fond memories of a promoted club that has gone into the international break in 10th position in the English Premier League - including a victory over Manchester United.

Robertson played alongside Steve Davis at Turf Moor in the late 1990s - now Davis is a first team coach working under Owen Coyle.

 "I spoke with Steve just before the season started to wish him all the best. And he said it was still the same club as when I was there," Robertson told au.fourfourtwo.com. 

"I keep in touch with him regularly and he's asking me about young players coming out of Australia that the club might be keeping an eye on.

"I spoke to them about a few Socceroos recently, that I knew some were on the move but nothing eventuated. But at least they know they're around.

"I even tried to get Lucas there!" added Robertson, a long-time mate of the currently club-less Socceroo skipper.

Burnley only had a population of around 70,000 people yet is able to pull crowds of 23,000 at Turf Moor. Robertson says the Clarets' supporters made his stay a memorable one.

"The club was classified as having the best away support outside the Premiership," he said. "On average we'd take 4-5000 fans down the motorway, whether you'd play Exeter or Reading, they'd still be there.

"My wife and I always say it was one of the best places we've ever lived and it was the best club I've ever played at. The biggest turning point for me was moving to live in Burnley when I was 19."

Robertson has all but called time on his A-League playing career despite being linked with two clubs in the off-season. Aside from keeping the Clarets aprised of the best young players in the A-League and elsewhere, he's now focussing on his new life running a junior football academy in Sydney's eastern suburbs called MR Soccer (www.mrsoccer.com.au)

Robertson employs his father and former Socceroo Alex Robertson in the program as well as former Dundee United player Neil Jablonski, currently playing for Sutherland Sharks in the NSW Premier League.

"It's actually just my initials but the kids just call me 'Mr Soccer'!'" said Robertson. "I'm really enjoying this new life."

  • In other news, Sydney FC have signed Sydney Olympic's winger Iain Ramsay for the youth league team this season.