STEVE Cotterill today took the reins as Burnley manager with a mandate to haul the club off its knees.

The former Cheltenham and Stoke boss has signed a three-year deal with the Clarets - starting with immediate effect.

Cotterill, 39, must instantly turn his attention to bolstering a shell of a first team squad left behind in the wake of Stan Ternent's shock sacking last month.

But the ambitious manager will also be challenged to rebuild a once-famed youth policy that provided a conveyor belt of talent.

Confirming Cotterill's arrival - as exclusively revealed in the Lancashire Evening Telegraph earlier this week - Burnley Football Club chief executive Dave Edmundson said: "Steve's appointment is all about looking to the future of this football club.

"He will not only be looking at the first team, but concentrating on our youth policy because that is another key area for us.

"Steve impressed us from the start, and throughout his interviews. It was a unanimous decision to appoint him as manager of Burnley Football Club.

"We were impressed with his managerial work at Cheltenham and Stoke. He has

experience of managing in the First Division, and has excellent coaching qualifications.

"Burnley fans will see a manager who will put his heart and soul into this club - just like our last manager did.

"He is passionate about the game and believes in what he does.

"We have got a manager with real hunger and drive and we are all excited about his appointment."

Edmundson also believes Cotterill will help the club stabilise after two years of financial hardship.

The club has been forced to realign itself after coming close to sinking into administration last season.

And the Burnley board have chosen a motivational manager they believe can bring stay-away fans flocking back to Turf Moor again.

Edmundson added: "We have appointed a manager who is an all-rounder. He will have a good rapport with the players, and he'll connect with the fans too.

"He is very forward-looking, and realises that we've all got to work as a unit.

"Our financial position at the club is well known, and we know that results on the pitch will drive up attendances.

"That in turn will bring in revenue - and that's what's needed here.

"Consolidation is the key for next season, and we'll be looking to build on from there."

STEVE COTTERILL BIOGRAPHY

n Born: Cheltenham, 20/07/1964

n Educated: Arle Comprehensive School Cheltenham.

n Played for Stretton Juniors in the Cheltenham Youth League in a team managed by his grandfather.

n First game in adult football was as a 14-year-old, featuring for Cheltenham Saracens and scoring two goals as a striker on his debut

n Joined Cheltenham Town aged 16, progressing to the reserve team but making only limited first team appearances through knee injuries.

n Played for Alvechurch and Burton Albion as he carved out a career in non-league circles.

n Signed for Wimbledon in February 1989 for £30,000 on the same day as former Burnley striker John Gayle.

n Had a brief loan spell with Brighton in August 1992 after making only limited appearances at Plough Lane.

n Signed for Bournemouth for £80,000 exactly one year later and enjoyed his best spell in professional football, making over 60 appearances and earning several Player of the Year awards.

n After a playing career cut short by a knee injury in the summer of 1995, he succeeded close friend and former Wimbledon team mate Lawrie Sanchez as manager of League of Ireland outfit Sligo Rovers.

n Steered the Irish minnows to their highest league placing for nearly 20 years. Twelve months later, Rovers qualified for Europe through the InterToto Cup.

n Quit the club for personal reasons eight games into the 1996/97 season - to be replaced by ex-Burnley manager Jimmy Mullen.

n Appointed manager of his home-town club, Cheltenham, in February 1997.

n Five-year reign at Whaddon Road earned him the title of their most successful manager ever.

Promotion from Southern League, 1997

FA Trophy win at Wembley, 1998

Nationwide Conference title, 1999

Promotion from Division Three, 2002

n Appointed Stoke City manager in May 2002, but resigned after just 13 games in charge.

n Became assistant manager to Howard Wilkinson at Sunderland for five months before both men were dismissed as they slid towards relegation from the Premiership.

n Ended last season helping out as a coach at Leicester.

n Appointed Burnley Football Club's 20th post-war manager on June 3.