FOOTBALL managers are not normally known for making teenage girls swoon.

But judging by the reaction at Gawthorpe yesterday, Stan Ternent could give Justin Timberlake a run for his money!

The Burnley boss was escorted from the training pitches by the excited gaggle of lasses, who sought one last audience with the man who has become a father figure for the entire town.

And if the star-struck quartet can be taken as a little straw poll, it's fair to assume Turf Moor will be awash with emotion on Sunday when Ternent takes charge of Burnley for the last time.

Yet for the equally emotional Clarets chief, it will also be an afternoon tinged with sadness that he is clearly dreading.

"I am not particularly looking forward to Sunday because I am an emotional person," admitted Ternent.

"But I have to be professional, so I will say cheerio to the fans and then get on with the rest of my life.

"It's been fun but you have to get on with it. You have to be philosophical and professional about it - and dignified, I hope."

Like his favourite spot at Turf Moor, propped up against the dug-out, the dressing room and the banter within are also things Ternent admits he will miss badly when he leaves the club.

But Burnley beware because the soon-to-be-deposed Clarets chief does not intend to sit around moping for too long before bouncing back into management with a new spring in his step.

He added; "I will miss the laughs on the training ground - but I will be back. I've no intention of retiring and the fire is burning even more now.

"I have something to prove again and that has given me a fantastic lift and inner strength.

"Sunday's game itself doesn't have a lot of meaning because there's nothing at stake for us.

"We have achieved our target by staying in the First Division and I would just like the lads to play well.

"I would like to win the game - purely for professional pride - but I also want the lads to put on a good show for the fans because they deserve it.

"They have stuck with us right through the season and it should be something to look forward to if you are a Burnley fan."

Top scorer Robbie Blake endorses Ternent's comments, insisting victory over Sunderland is the only way to bring the curtain down on Ternent's incident-packed six-year reign.

The 22-goal hitman insisted: "It's going to be a sad day for the manager and the players, but it's a good game to play in and hopefully we can send him off with a win.

"Obviously the boys were very shocked and surprised, but it's vital now that we give him a good performance to remember us by.

"Stan has been absolute quality in my eyes. He signed me and clearly showed faith by spending such money and obviously it's very disappointing to see him go.

"But I wish him all the best in the future and I'm sure he will be back in football soon. He has done such a great job in the six years he's been here and everyone left at the club will miss him."

Blake recalls feeling the wrath of Ternent on many occasions since making the £1m switch from Bradford two-and-a-half years ago.

He beamed: "He's not afraid to give anyone stick - myself included - but that's the way it is with the gaffer.

"I've had a few great quips off him, but you accept that from a manager with such a great track record.

"I still laugh at the time he said I played like I was wearing diving boots. Then, on another occasion he screamed that I should be paying ground rent out there!

"That was after I had my double hernia too, so I thought I had an excuse!

"But in six years he has turned the club around and that makes him part of the furniture here.

"In troubled times the fans have stuck by him and constantly chant his name, so they have great affection for him and I think he loves the club too."