BARRY Kilby has handed Burnley a massive boost by declaring the football club is already financially secure for the coming season.

The Clarets came worryingly close to sinking into administration earlier this year, when a slump in season ticket sales contributed to a black hole in February.

Only a massive fund-raising exercise launched by chief executive Dave Edmundson plugged the hole and allowed Burnley to limp through the campaign.

But with the finances now realigned to a more realistic budget, season tickets hitting the 8,500 target and a successful summer for the club's commercial arm, Clarets chairman Kilby is convinced the dark days of financial ruin are now a concern of the past.

Kilby said: "I think it's fair to say we are a little apprehensive because we know this is a tough league and that our resources are limited.

"We are still relatively weak, but we have weathered the real financial crisis, we have our destiny back in our own hands and, if we can keep our income to the levels of last year, we are balanced and through the season right now."

Kilby added: "The silly thing about football is that you can draw Manchester United at home in the cup and all of a sudden £700,000 falls into your lap.

"But as it stands, the season ticket sales are in and we should hit our aim for walk-on supporters with some genuinely attractive games coming up.

"We have done well on the commercial side and we are even live on television for one game, so I can say that we will hit our financial targets for the coming season."

The timing of Kilby's news is sure to come as a real fillip for Clarets fans everywhere, with the Coca Cola Championship opening game at home to Sheffield United now just three days away.

Meanwhile, there was more good news last night after several Clarets stars received news of international call-ups.

Goalkeeper Danny Coyne, who played twice for Wales at the end of last season shortly before joining Burnley from Leicester City, has been included as one of four goalkeepers in Mark Hughes' squad for the friendly clash with shock Euro 2004 qualifiers Latvia in Riga on Wednesday, August 18.

England's Richard Chaplow has been called up to an Under 20s training camp for three days immediately following the First Division game at Watford on August 14, and Northern Ireland defender Michael Duff is on stand-by for inclusion to the squad to face Switzerland that week.

As a result, the trio could now miss former Burnley manager Stan Ternent's testimonial game against a strong Manchester United side at Turf Moor on August 17.

United winger Ryan Giggs could now feature in Ternent's benefit match after being omitted from the Welsh squad because he is suspended for their first two World Cup qualifiers.

And Giggs could be joined at Turf Moor by Reds midfielder Paul Scholes, who yesterday ruled himself out of England's friendly clash with the Ukraine that week after calling time on his international career.