A Clarets fan named the new British High Commissioner for Malta today revealed how he hoped the new role would lead to closer ties between his beloved football club and the Mediterranean island.

Vincent Fean, 49, a former student at St Theodore's RC High School, Burnley, will travel to Valletta in September with his wife Anne but is already concerned about not watching Burnley FC for the duration of his job over the next three years.

The father-of-three, who has travelled the world in the past 25 years as part of his work with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, said he would love for members of Burnley FC to travel over to Malta for a game.

He said he had already discussed the position with Blackburn MP and Foreign Secretary Jack Straw.

Vincent said: "In preparation for the new job I called on my boss Jack Straw .

"We discussed the aims to pursue over the next three years, when Malta may well join the European Union.

"But Mr Straw's attention was drawn to my objective of exploring how to bring Burnley FC to Malta.

"I will be there for three years and would like to see the Clarets in Malta during my time. That will be down to finance and economics -- but I will be trying."

In Malta Mr Fean will be promoting the UK's interests on the island both commercial, consular and political.

After leaving school, he studied for a joint honours degree in French and German at Sheffield University and from there joined the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in 1975.

His postings have included Baghdad, Damascus, Brussels and Paris.

He left his job as director for Asia Pacific in the international group in trade partners UK where he was involved in helping British companies to export or invest in overseas markets in June.

Mr Fean is the son of the late Joe and Bridie Fean, of Belvedere Road, Burnley, and is one of six children.

His two sisters Nora Mason and Bridget Jordan live in Barrowford and Burnley respectively. Mr Fean has been a keen Clarets supporter since his father worked on the turnstiles at Turf Moor in the 1960s.

He attends as many matches as he can in London and Southern England and when visiting his sisters he also attends home games. He also follows Lancashire Cricket Club.

Burnley FC today said manager Stan Ternent was unavailable to comment on the prospect of a game in Malta. Jack Straw was also unable to comment.