THE Ternent years will undoubtedly go down in the history books as the resurrection of a great football club.

When he took over, Burnley Football Club was at a crossroads. Limping along in Division Two and with the manager's revolving door still generating a draught from the departures of Chris Waddle and Adrian Heath, who each had just one season trying to turn things around.

Waddle in particular, left a gaping hole in the playing side that needed more than just a skim of plaster - and ironically had turned to Ternent for help in the weeks before his inevitable departure in the summer of 1997.

New foundations were needed and within weeks of walking into Turf Moor, Ternent began to lay a rock solid base to build from. His first words after being poached from Bury, along with trustworthy assistant Sam Ellis, were typical Ternent: "No fear," he boomed, promising an organisation, an endeavour, a commitment and a will to win.

Straight away, Ternent was as good as his word, publicly humiliating - albeit with the clubs best interests at heart - players who clearly did not meet the mark.

New players duly arrived and a season of consolidation followed, which at least steadied the ship.

Barry Kilby had by now taken over the reins as chairman following a boardroom takeover, promising brighter times and pledging money would be made available for Ternent to further strengthen his hand.

However, the following campaign surpassed everyone's expectations - except possibly Ternent's! And few could have imagined the unforgettable Valentine's Day coup, when the signing of former England and Arsenal legend Ian Wright as Burnley's promotion push gathered momentum.

By May 6, 2000, it had all came down to a simple equation - win at Scunthorpe and hope to better Gillingham's result to earn promotion.

Glen Little's second half goal sealed a nail-biting 2-1 win and when news filtered through that their promotion rivals had failed to match the result, Burnley were finally back in Division One.

The following season saw Burnley finish in their highest league position for over a quarter of a century - just missing out on the play-offs by finishing seventh - an astonishing rise in the space of just three seasons under Ternent's tenure. However, Ternent would come even closer the following season - again finishing seventh, but only missing out on the play-offs by one solitary goal on the final day of the season.

Ternent had pulled off another masterstroke by persuading Paul Gascoigne to join the Clarets - sending a buzz of excitement around town like never before.

Burnley's flame was now shining bright - but the collapse of ITV Digital would have startling repercussions for the club - and Ternent's own lofty ambitions.

Undeterred, he signed an extended contract along with Ellis in November 2002 as chairman Barry Kilby displayed his faith in the pairing.

But last summer the gloom descended, with 16 players - including top scorer Gareth Taylor - leaving the club to cut the wage bill and keep the club afloat as the coffers threatened to run dry.

The threat of administration was looming large on the horizon and it took a gargantuan effort from everyone to keep Burnley in the First Division.

Last weekend, the joint aim was finally achieved and everyone breathed a collective sigh of relief.

Ternent had successfully steered the club he loved to safety.

However, it today emerged that achieving survival was to be the final act of the Ternent era.

An eventful, sometimes controversial, always outspoken, never-to-be-forgotten manager of Burnley Football Club.

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