Staying up the priority

The Clarets are currently in the throes of a wretched run of results with just one win and one draw from their last nine League games.

But

wider picture remains brighter and manager Stan Ternent insists the club is still heading firmly in the right direction -- with promotion to the Premiership still the ultimate goal.

He said: "The start we had might have heralded a false dawn. It meant a lot to me but not in respect of looking for another promotion, although I would have taken it if the circumstances had presented themselves.

"My ambition hasn't changed at all. I want to establish us as a First Division team. That's still our first and main priority.

"We are trying to build on firm foundations. The club has been through a lot in the last decade but we're back in the First Division now and we want to stay there.

"When we've done that we'll try and improve and get higher in the league and try and get another promotion, or is the First Division our status in life?

"I say 'no'. If Bradford, Leicester and Southampton can do it, why shouldn't we?"

Despite their present run Burnley did enough in the early part of the season to safeguard against a relegation dog-fight.

They haven't been helped by lengthy injuries to Lee Briscoe and Glen Little and suspensions for prominent players -- notably Kevin Ball -- in recent weeks.

The Clarets' play-off prospects therefore faded either side of Christmas as Ternent's warnings that his squad lacked the strength in depth to cope with the absence of key performers rang true.

"It's always an achievable aim if you have the finances of a Blackburn Rovers or someone like that, who are more established at this level.

"If the opportunity presents itself and financially you can do it you have to have a go but we've got to walk before we can jog, jog before we can run and run before we can sprint," he added.

And as things stand, Burnley are just about jogging back towards the big league. Having spent all but two of the last 20 years below First Division level it's been a long road.

Just over two years ago the club was on its knees both financially and on the field and despite a complete financial overhaul inspired by chairman Barry Kilby, the Clarets still have to watch the pennies and try and balance the books while competing against clubs with more financial muscle.

"I am aware of all that and I think most fans are, but perhaps not as many as could be if we don't tell them," said Ternent.

The supporters expect Burnley to continue their recent success but a quick glance at the League table shows what they are up against.

With the exception of Preston and Sheffield United, all the other clubs above the Clarets have a recent Premiership pedigree -- with the money that goes with it -- bigger gates or a wealthy benefactor.

Burnley somehow need to compete against those clubs, and one or two biggish spenders below them, to sign the quality players they need to take the next step forward.

"I don't think it's difficult if we can get people to come to Burnley and look at what we've got with the stadium, leisure centre and training facilities. With the chairman, the board and the fans everything about it is right.

"What it boils down to is finances and the implications," said Ternent.

"Whether you mortgage the club up to the hilt and run the risk of destroying if it it doesn't work out or work within the framework of the club.

"The bottom line for us to afford to do what the fans want us to do and the chairman and I would like to do depends on the revenue.

"The revenue comes from the fans, the television and the pools and from commercial activities. It's on-going yet we get something like 15,000 every game which is about 15 per cent of the population -- one of the best in the country -- so what more is it possible to do.

"We are playing in the same League (as the likes of Rovers and Fulham) but perhaps looking in the bargain basement.

"I have gone out and spent money on Ian Moore, but they could spend £2-£3 million on players."

That doesn't mean to say that Ternent isn't constantly striving to improve his squad.

"I think the supporters want to see progress and if new players aren't coming in they want to ask questions why, and quite rightly," he added. "It could be a few things. It could be that we couldn't afford him or he didn't want to come and play for Burnley.

"But I am on the look-out all the time. We all want to see good players in a claret and blue shirt. They (the supporters) are down the same road as I'm coming from, although there is a little more to it unfortunately.

"When I get my budget there will almost certainly be an increase in there so I will see where it takes me. If the chairman and the board have money they will give it to me to spend.

"They've never snubbed me once. They want to take the club as far as we can as quickly as we can but it has to be in the framework of the company."

Having put together a squad good enough to get into and survive in Division One, Ternent now wants to integrate talented younger players who are appreciating assets.

Increased television revenue this summer will strengthen the manager's hand and despite the recent problems, that cheque is tantalisingly close to Kilby's hand as the club stays ahead of schedule.

"The three-year plan was to get promotion to the First Division. That's what happened when I first came here.

"We are in front of that and looking to stay in the First Division with a year's experience at this level.

"The last time we went up we went straight back down and that won't happen," insisted Ternent.