THE current crisis that is engulfing ITV Digital is being closely monitored by everyone at Turf Moor as well as all other clubs across the country.

Burnley chairman Barry Kilby claimed today: "Granada and Carlton are up and down like a couple of Del boys, denying responsibility.

"But the League's contention is that they are bound together with ITV Digital and the shareholders have guaranteed the contract so it falls back on them."

The company went into administration yesterday, less than a year after the multi-million pound deal to cover Nationwide League football was signed.

The Clarets have already budgeted for next season on the understanding that the next instalment of the television money would be received in the first week of September.

The Domesday scenario is currently suggesting that as many as 30 clubs could fold if some solution is not reached and while Kilby is not pressing the panic button he admitted: "Whatever happens I don't think we will get our money in September.

"But by the company going into administration, it gives us some time to resolve some issues and find out who is responsible for what. A contract is a contract and the TV companies can't fob us off. After all, isn't Granada alone worth something like £8billion?"

Kilby has always maintained that the Clarets stand fully behind the League in the belief that a contract has been signed and it is up to the television company to honour it one way or another.

If the Clarets were not to achieve their promotion dream they, along with the 23 other first division clubs, would be entitled to another £3million on top of the money they have already received, plus additional payments upon the screening of games.

It is against that background that the club has been doing business in recent months.

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They have offered new improved contracts to players like Glen Little and Arthur Gnohere and bringing striker Robbie Blake to the club in a record £1million deal.

"We do our budgets looking two or three years ahead, taking into account revenue streams," he said. "We apply our costs accordingly.

"This season we have been operating to a strict budget and our revenue will actually exceed our costs but the television money represents about 30 per cent of our income, £3million of £10million.

"You can't just do deals from season to season but what we have been extremely mindful of is when the current TV deal ends in 2004. We have been aware it is unlikely to be as good as next time.

"For now, I am sure the League will fight for every last penny that is owed to the clubs."

The uncertain situation will continue to be monitored by the Burnley board although Kilby remains optimistic that next season the Clarets will be looking to receive money from Sky not ITV Digital.

"Let's just hope we can get into the Premier League," he said.