Sky Documentaries to launch "Mission to Burnley"

Sky has commissioned the 4-part series "Mission to Burnley" launching on Sky Documentaries and NOW in September. The Sky Original series covers the popular rebirth of one of England’s most historic clubs under the ownership of a charismatic group of American owners. “Burnley FC’s story over the last 12 months has been incredible," Zai Bennett Managing Director of Content, Sky UK said. "From one the biggest lows in club football, to one of the greatest highs, we’ve been privileged to follow the club throughout. With lead characters Alan Pace and Vincent Kompany, we can’t wait to bring our audiences this remarkable story from the inside.” 

Produced by Ad Hoc Films, makers of the acclaimed "QPR: The Four-Year Plan" and "The United Way," "Mission to Burnley" will premiere in September on Sky Documentaries & NOW as the 2023-2024 season begins. The Sky Original documentary has been commissioned for Sky Documentaries by Bennett, Jamie Morris, Director of Programmes and Jack Oliver, Head of Co-Productions, Sky Entertainment. The Ad Hoc Films team includes Series Director Tom Magnus, Showrunner Mat Hodgson, Producer Daniel Glynn, Series Producer Patrick Nathanson and Producer Nina Cameron.  

The observational documentary series follows Burnley Football Club owners, ALK Partners, as they seek to navigate the snakes-and-ladders world of modern football, with all its potential risk, reward and peril. Led by chairman Alan Pace, and inspired by ALK’s faith as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-day Saints, they swapped Wall Street for Turf Moor, Lancashire with a single vision - to build a global footballing dynasty in Burnley and beyond.   

With unprecedented access to the boardroom, dressing-room and inner workings of a club - audiences will be taken on a compelling fly-on-the-wall journey with this unique band of owners in a one-team working-class town, where football is a religion in itself. Charting the highs and lows of the tumultuous period that starts with the devastation of final-day relegation from the Premier League, the documentary goes on to examine how the club has evolved under the stewardship of one of football’s young managers, Vincent Kompany. 

“It’s been a truly unforgettable year, full of stratospheric highs, some daunting lows and everything in between," Burnley FC chairman, Alan Pace said. "I’m delighted Ad Hoc and Sky have been there to capture this incredible journey, in all its emotion, depth and passion. At its heart it’s a story of family, faith, friendship, and of course football, set during an amazing time, in a great town, and of course led by a very special manager in Vincent Kompany.”