BURNLEY fans were shell-shocked today after hearing the news that Clarets boss Stan Ternent's reign at Turf Moor will end this month.

Football is the life blood of the town, and today's decision not to renew Ternent's contract will affect every one in the town.

On the football side, the decision to release Ternent seems a harsh one.

After taking charge of the Clarets when they were in the lower reaches of the Second Division, he took them to the brink of the Premiership.

This season, financial constraints crippled the club, both on and off the field. Ternent was forced to release 16 players - more than a whole squad - leaving him with just 16 professional players on his books.

Using his contacts with the likes of Sir Alex Ferguson and Sam Allardyce, he brought in players good enough to keep the Clarets in the First Division for another year.

Ternent himself described his achievement this week as the greatest in his career. Few could argue.

It was a difficult decision for the club, and in particular chairman Barry Kilby, who has a close working relationship with the manager.

But that decision has been made with Kilby saying the club is looking to the future, and only time will tell if that decision was right.

Ternent is undoubtedly one of the game's great characters - a dying breed - and love him or hate him, you have to respect his achievements for Burnley Football Club.