A CHOKED Stan Ternent admitted it would be a massive wrench to leave Burnley Football Club after six years as manager.

The Clarets boss received an amazing reception from Burnley fans after a season battling to maintain the club's First Division status.

Ternent had already admitted that achieving survival was "one of his greatest achievements - SO FAR - as a manager".

And true to his word, he vowed to bounce back into management as soon as possible after struggling to come to terms with the decision not to offer him a new contract this summer.

Flanked by assistant manager Sam Ellis, he said: "The chairman and the board of directors didn't offer me a new deal and the chairman himself told me on Bank Holiday Monday that my contract was not going to be renewed.

"So, as long as everyone is aware, I never wanted to leave Burnley and you have probably seen the reason why, with the reception.

"I would like to go on record, first of all to thank the supporters for their unequivocal support for six years, through thick and thin,

"They are the best in the country and we are very lucky, or I'm very lucky, to have had the opportunity to manage a club like Burnley.

"Obviously in private I have thanked my staff - Sam, Ronnie (Jepson), Doc (Mick Docherty) and quite a lot of other people."

Ternent was given a standing ovation by all four sides of Turf Moor as he strode around his spiritual home for the last time following the 2-1 defeat to his boyhood heroes Sunderland.

Amid remarkable scenes, over 4,000 visiting fans stayed behind well after the final whistle - and the departure of their own promotion-chasing side - to pay homage to one of their own.

That followed a 15-minute lap of honour that saw the Bob Lord, Jimmy McIlroy and James Hargreaves stands all rise to pay their own personal tributes to the 57-year-old, who has guided Burnley from the depths of Division Two six years ago to a side now established in the top flight of the Football League.

Ternent, trying desperately to keep his emotions in check, continued: "It has been a rocky ride.

"We were good and the last two years have been less than I would have hoped for, but nevertheless I still consider it an achievement to have taken us from what I inherited to where we are now.

"I said when I came that I would leave the club better than when I found it and I think I have done that.

"It's a sad day, but in many ways the reception that Sam, the players and I had at the end is something that will live in my memory forever.

"I am really pleased that we did stay up and I will tell you the reason why on a lighter note.

"If, for staying up, you get the bullet, then for going down it could have been a public execution.

"That's a massive reason for wanting to stay up!

"But the chairman has been good to me and I have had a fantastic relationship with him.

"Why he has done this only he knows. He will have his reasons for it and we have to respect them, or certainly I have to."

The ousted Clarets chief, who began life as a football manager a quarter of a century ago, added: "I wish Burnley Football Club every success in the future and now I am looking for another job.

"I have a good 10 years left in me yet and what has happened to me has been such a buzz, it's been like getting an injection up the backside.

"I need a job again tomorrow, as quickly as possible, and hopefully I can bring a side back to Turf Moor one day.

"I have no intention of retiring. I am 57 and I have a good 10 years in me at least. I might even go on as far as Robbo (Bobby Robson), who knows?

"Again, the most important thing is Burnley Football Club. It will be here a long time after I'm not and there have been some fantastic players played for Burnley Football Club, and some fantastic people managed the club.

"I consider myself very lucky."

1998/99 Division 2 15th

1999/00 Division 2 2nd

2000/01 Division 1 7th

2001/02 Division 1 7th

2002/03 Division 1 16th

2003/04 Division 1 19th