BURNLEY is a club moving in the right direction and the final destination could well be the Premier League, according to a favourite former son.

Barrowford boy Mick Phelan is a classic example of local lad made good, his career since joining his beloved Clarets being full of medals and glory.

Today he may have his hands full as first team coach at Manchester United but he still has time to get to Turf Moor when he can - and he likes what he has seen.

"I live in Colne so I am surrounded by friends and family who are all Burnley supporters," he said. "I can't help but know what is going on, even though I don't see too many games.

"The club has seen some really, really poor days and having started following football standing on a box on the Beehole End, it is great to see them up near the top of the first division.

"They did look as if they were going nowhere but somewhere down the line people have got hold of the club and turned things around.

"The club has now got a foothold in football and that will help them in the future.

"Stan (Ternent) has got them moving in the right direction.

"I hope that in years to come it will be a club that young players want to join."

Over the past few years as reserve team coach at Old Trafford, before his promotion to a first team role in the summer, Phelan worked with some of the most promising young players in the country.

He recalled that when he started his career at Turf Moor it was a club with a good record of developing young players.

"When I went there it was a great place for youngsters," he said. "It had a reputation for bringing on young players, but that was lost in the years of struggle.

"I am not sure if they have got any good young players coming through at the minute but the Burnley fans love to see players come through and if you are doing well in the league it helps you attract good young talent.

"Through a successful first team you get the right image for the club and that is what Stan has got.

"I am just talking as a supporter now but I think the club is progressing very, very well.

"I know that everyone talks about Glen Little, and there is no doubt he is a good player, but there are a number of good players at the club. The manager has created a really good pool of players.

"Some are players with a second chance of playing in the Premier League, some want to get there for the first time but they are all hungry, they want to achieve something at Burnley."

With Sir Alex Ferguson retiring as manager of Manchester United in the summer, Phelan is unsure whether he will still have a role at Old Trafford next season, and what it would be.

But if he is still working for the Red Devils he hopes he will be looking at an away fixture at Turf Moor.