IN seven years at Turf Moor Andy Farrell was the classic example of a versatile footballer.

In the days before squad numbers, he wore every available shirt and he holds the record of bring the only Claret to have played at Wembley twice.

Today he is back at Turf Moor in a coaching capacity as he looks to forge a career on the touchline, initially as a member of the club's booming community team with responsibility for coaching children in Haslingden and Ramsbottom.

"I have been back here ten weeks and it has been great," he admitted. "I have never left the town because after I moved on from the club I played at Wigan and Rochdale and there was no need to move."

Farrell has his seven-year-old daughter Emily to thank for his latest career move as he explained: "The job came about because I was down here with my daughter who was attending a soccer clinic.

"Dean Ramsdale (leisure and community manager) asked me if I would like to get involved and I jumped at the chance.

"There is a great atmosphere among the team with people like Vince Overson and Gerry Harrison and there is a real dressing room banter about the place with a lot of messing about. But we are all serious about our work."

It was 15 years ago that Farrell arrived in Burnley when then manager Brian Miller signed the young player from his home town club Colchester United.

"I remember meeting Brian and one of the first things to strike me were the cobbled streets ," he said. "It had been a long journey up from Colchester, about nine hours, but I must have liked what I saw because I was in my eighth season when I left.

"There is no doubt it was the best and happiest time of my career and it was great to make my debut at Turf Moor in front of 10,000 fans.

"It gave me a massive buzz because in terms of football support Burnley and Colchester are like chalk and cheese.

"I have got a host of happy memories from my time here, playing at Wembley twice, scoring two goals as a sub, the night we won promotion at York."

The 36-year-old is hoping that he will have more happy memories from the game as he embarks on his coaching career.

"I always fancied the coaching side and I have taken all my badges," he explained.

"I got my UEFA A licence at Lilleshall and I have also done courses at the Cliff and Loughborough University.

"I have done some coaching at Leigh RMI and my plan is to keep progressing until I am coaching at League level.

"I have always wanted to stay in the game and would love to be the man in the dug-out on a Saturday afternoon. That is my long-term target."

One talented player who may benefit from his coaching is daughter Emily.

"She is a promising young player and I think she will be good," he admitted.

And if she can make a name for herself in the developing women's game, she will really be a chip off the old Farrell block.