I DON'T mind admitting I'll be emotional when I see Stan Ternent lead the Clarets out for the final time on Sunday.

It will be the end of an era for Burnley Football Club, and I'll be the first to start the standing ovation when he walks out on the pitch.

I've known Stan for years, and I've felt a mixture of amazement and disappointment since the Evening Telegraph reporter woke me on Tuesday morning to break the news.

It just came out of the blue, and I must admit the decision has saddened me.

Stan and I go back a long way. We were at Lilleshall together on a coaching course in the early 1970s, and Stan stood out then. He was the best of the bunch, and it was clear that he was going to go on and achieve things after his playing career.

We've kept in touch since, and everyone knows what he's done for the Clarets. His record speaks for itself.

I'm sure he'll get a great reception from the fans on Sunday, and knowing Stan as I do, it will be an emotional moment for him.

I'll be at the ground at 10am carrying out my usual duties, but I know already it's going to be a day out of the ordinary, something special.

The match won't really matter - both sides have nothing to play for - so it's all about one man, and what he'll say at the end of the game. I think that's one statement we're all looking forward to hearing.

When he wakes up on Monday, I hope Stan will start thinking about staying in the game in some capacity.

There's a team in trouble just up the M62 - and Leeds could do worse than appointing Stan as their next manager.

He has the track-record working with a tight budget, and the contacts to bring in the players. He can pick up a phone and speak to the biggest names in football. That's priceless in a game with so many young managers.

As for Burnley, I hope the board appoint the new manager as soon as possible - and that means in the next seven days!

A lot of players will flood on to the market in the next few days, and if we've not got a new man on board, we'll end up missing the boat.

It's no good making an appointment in June when all the best players have been cherry-picked, and all that's left are the average ones. We need more than that at Turf Moor.

I've seen the names being linked with the job, and I must admit I'm not that impressed with the list.

Mike Phelan is one man I've heard mentioned, but what management experience has he had? Fair enough, he's coached at the highest level but whether Burnley can afford to take a chance on a man who's never managed before is doubtful.

Then there's been the likes of Brian Flynn and Steve McMahon - neither of them strike me as the man for the job. Personally, I prefer Ronnie Moore. He's worked well, to a budget, in the First Division, and he's well respected in the game - and that's important in attracting players.

But for now, get ready for an emotional day at Turf Moor.