I FAIL to concur with Mr J Wilkinson's point of view (Sports Letters, November 21) that he should have priority over everyone else when tickets are distributed for the away game at Turf Moor on December 17.

Just because he likes to travel to such far-flung places as Portsmouth and West Ham doesn't automatically quality him for a loyalty bonus, as he suggests.

The result at Portsmouth would have been the same -- with or without his support.

Even if Mr Wilkinson had sung his heart out the entire match, Graeme Souness would have employed the same tactics -- not to please him, but to do the very best for the cub.

The reason Mr Wilkinson travels so far to watch the Rovers is to please himself.

The only way a football club can measure loyalty and be fair at the same time is to give the season ticket holder first choice when big match tickets become available.

Many smaller clubs, Burnley included, rely heavily on pre-season funds from season ticket sales, not only to balance the books, but to enable them to buy new players.

They see the season, ticket holder as someone who is not only loyal but confident enough in the club's future prospects to invest £200-£300 of their hard-earned cash to support the club throughout the season.

Therefore, it is only fair that there should be extra incentives to lure the same people back next season.

No doubt, Mr Wilkinson is a very loyal supporter, but giving season ticket holders first chance of tickets for the Burnley game is the club's way of saying: "Thanks for investing in us -- here's a little bit back."

I sincerely hope Mr Wilkinson gets a ticket for the match against Burnley, and I am confident that Rovers will be involved in many more 'big' all-ticket games next season should they gain promotion.

Should he fail, then perhaps now is the right time to seriously consider buying a season ticket -- after all, Southampton is an awful long way to go without a taxi.

MARTIN WHITTAKER, Laneshawbridge, Trawden.