Sky commissions Mission to Burnley docuseries
May 5, 2023
By Nik Roseveare
Sky has announced the commission of 4-part series Mission to Burnley launching on Sky Documentaries and NOW in September. The Sky Original series will tell the story of the rebirth of one of England’s most historic clubs under the ownership of a charismatic group of American owners.
Produced by Ad Hoc Films, makers of the acclaimed QPR: The Four-Year Plan and The United Way, this docuseries follows Burnley Football Club owners, ALK Partners, as they seek to navigate the 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 access to the boardroom, dressing-room and inner workings of a club – Sky says audiences will be taken on a compelling fly-on-the-wall journey with this 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 young manager Vincent Kompany.
Pace commented: “It’s been a truly unforgettable year, full of stratospheric highs, some daunting lows and everything in between. 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.”
Zai Bennett Managing Director of Content, Sky UK, added: “Burnley FC’s story over the last 12 months has been incredible. 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.”