NEW Clarets director Chris Duckworth has pledged the board's help to fund manager Stan Ternent's quest for First Division success this season.

Duckworth is already believed to have pumped a six-figure sum into the Turf Moor coffers following his appointment to the board this week.

His stake in recently floated internet company TeleCity is, on paper, currently worth around £50 million according to the firm's present valuation on the stock market.

He has taken up a "substantial shareholding" in Burnley and while the Read-based businessman knows the first priority is to see the club operate on an even keel, he insisted that the board will endeavour to back Ternent with cash in the transfer market when it's required.

Duckworth said: "As an accountant I have an element of prudence which isn't always appreciated by all of the supporters. You can't go over the top and bet the club which belongs to the town and I regard myself as just one of the custodians of the club.

"But we will positive in terms of money being available. My view is that directors direct, managers manage and players play but as far as I am concerned it's up to us to make sure Stan Ternent has the funds to do the job and I have every confidence in the guy from what I have seen." He added: "I think we've got a fairly strong squad. Stan is a guy who likes to see heart and there are players there with a track record of having that. "That's important and I am sure he will have his eyes open for other members who would strengthen his squad.

"And I am sure the board will be supporting him very heavily with that."

Duckworth, who was born in Accrington and has been a season-ticket holder at Turf Moor for the last 35 years, has a successful background in the internet field after staring out in accountancy and will explore potential new revenue streams for Burnley, as the club looks to establish itself in Division One.

His recent investment means that the rights issue Burnley launched 18 months ago has now brought in some £4.5 million and with a £1 million worth of shares still to be taken up Duckworth anticipates putting in further funds in the future.

The flotation of the Manchester-based TeleCity company, of which he was a founder member and chairman until February, released the capital for Duckworth to accept chairman Barry Kilby's invitation to join the Burnley board and like Kilby before him was the catalyst to realise an ambition.

The 46-year-old added: "I thought long and hard about it. There are all sorts of ways of putting smiles on people's faces and I know how much the football club means to the town.

"I thought if I was to put some of the money somewhere, doing this wouldn't just be an indulgence it would be a genuine attempt to help Barry get the club funded properly. This season is a very big one in terms of the televison money that's coming in next season so if ever there was a time to get off my backside it was now.

"I'm highly delighted and looking forward to the season. We're back to playing the teams that I remember watching when I started going in the sixties and it's a very exciting time."