BOSSES at Burnley Football Club tried to get last night's clash with Gillingham postponed after the death of assistant manager Sam Ellis's son, it has been revealed.

Clarets chairman Barry Kilby said he contacted the Football League 24 hours before kick off after players asked him for the game to be postponed.

But the Football League said it could not be done and the game went ahead.

Mr Ellis's son, Timothy, 28, suffered multiple injuries on the A583 Kirkham by-pass on Monday afternoon.

He had been a psychiatric patient at Royal Preston Hospital and he is believed to have stepped out into the path of a heavy goods vehicle on the eastbound carriageway.

Clarets manager Stan Ternent's thoughts were with his close friend and right hand man Sam Ellis before, during and after the battling draw with Gillingham.

In the post match press conference a clearly emotional Ternent was in no mood to discuss either the game or the tragic death.

"I'll keep this short and sweet," he said. "I thought the lads showed fantastic character and all our thoughts and prayers are with the Ellis family."

Ternent and Ellis have been friends for many years and their children have grown up together, almost like an extended family.

The strain of the past 24 hours had clearly taken a toll on the 55-year-old who just wanted to get back up north to offer support to his friend.