SUCCESS in the First Division will be worth at least £2.5 million for the Clarets next season following the new television deal secured by Nationwide League clubs.

The League has agreed a £315 million package with ITV and ONdigital for a three-year period starting the season after next.

Clubs will also be entitled to a share of pay-per-revenues for games shown on ONdigital following the switch from Sky.

And in the carve-up of the television cash, First Division clubs will receive roughly £3 million each before a ball is kicked, compared to around half-a-million in Division Two.

That money will be on offer for three seasons from 2001-2002 onwards but Burnley will want to be in from the off which means maintaining their status next term.

"It's a vital season for us," confirmed Turf Moor chairman Barry Kilby.

"The gap is ever wider between the haves and the have nots.

"I would sooner be up there than trying to get up there. It's easier not to be thrown out of the boat than to try and climb into it."

First Division clubs currently receive £800,000 with £300,000 for those in Division Two. That means a massive increase in the pipeline, although clubs will have to guard against increases in wages and expenditure rising in tandem with the extra revenue to leave them no better off.

"Obviously it goes straight to the bottom line and it's a big addition to the finances.

"We have been operating with very little television money so if we use a bit of sense it will help our finances tremendously," added Kilby, who believes the club chairmen have pulled off a smart bit of business.

"I think it is a good deal. It's the maximum we could have got from the deal and I'm delighted that we will be back on terrestial television and not tied in with the Premiership brand on Sky as an afterthought.

"We are getting a clear branding of our own in a good partnership for what will be an excellent product," he added.

There will be an increase in hand-outs through the divisions but the deal is weighted towards the First Division clubs to help narrow the gap between the Nationwide League and the Premiership and to help promoted clubs compete.

"The whole purpose of the deal being focussed on the First Division is to try and stop that break-away and make it a bit nearer the Premiership and less of a culture shock," said Kilby.