Stan denies striker link

Stanley believe the Clarets are one of those interested in the 20-year-old goalscorer.

But while Williams' potential is well known to Burnley boss Stan Ternent, it appears that the Clarets have done no more than keep tabs on his progress.

"I've known about him for a long time. I know his father and his full history and I watched him when I was at Bury.

"He's no different from a lot of kids we keep an eye on. There's nothing more than that," said Ternent, who recently gave Radcliffe Borough striker Paul Mullin a run-out in a behind-closed-doors friendly as he monitors the local non-league talent.

Clarets coaches Jimmy Robson and Mick Docherty were at the Crown Ground on Tuesday night when Williams scored his 12th goal of the season.

But Ternent said they were not there to watch the Stanley striker.

Williams has made a major impact since joining Stanley in an £8,000 deal from fellow UniBond First Division outfit Ashton United earlier this season.

So far he has hit the net 12 times in 15 games, including a four-goal salvo in Stanley's 10-1 demolition of Lincoln United at the weekend.

And the quicksilver striker capped another impressive display with a stunning second-half strike against Workington on Tuesday night.

Whoever does follow up their interest in Williams could face a fight for his services with Nationwide First Division leaders Manchester City, who have also been linked with a move for the former Morecambe front man.

Stanley will want a fee in excess of the £50,000 Blackpool paid the UniBond League club for Brett Ormerod in 1996 and could be looking for a total package approaching six-figures.

Burnley-based Williams has supported the Clarets all his life but is refusing to let any speculation go to his head as the race for his signature hots up. Sheffield Wednesday and Blackpool are also believed to be monitoring the situation.

"I've heard things about it but I'm not really thinking about it at the moment," said Williams.

"I'm just trying to concentrate on doing my best for Stanley and hopefully something will happen then.

"But it would be the best move ever for me to play for my hometown club.

"I've supported Burnley all my life and I try to get to as many games as I possibly can.

"I don't really know too much about it but I heard they made an inquiry about me when I was at Morecambe. But the club never let me know about it.

"But to play for Burnley would be a dream come true."

Williams had a chance to break into the big-time during the summer when Nationwide First Division outfit Charlton Athletic invited him down to the Valley for a two-day trial.

But manager Alan Curbishley decided not to pursue his interest in the player after seeing him at closer quarters.

"I trained with Charlton for two days and they said they wanted me to go back down," said Williams.

"But I never heard anything else from them and it was then that I decided to join John Coleman at Accrington Stanley."

Burnley's FA Cup first-round tie at Barnet on Sunday week will kick-off at 1.30pm and not 1pm.

And the Clarets have confirmed that Burnley's Second Division game against Blackpool at Turf Moor has been put back a day to Sunday, November 14 (kick-off 1pm) to avoid a clash with England's Euro 2000 play-off against Scotland.

TOP-SCORER Andy Payton was set to resume training today after a bout of illness and could return for the Clarets against Bristol City at Turf Moor on Saturday.

"I'm hoping so, he's feeling a lot of better," confirmed Ternent.

The Burnley boss reported no major knocks following Tuesday night's win at Cambridge so Payton for Graham Branch could be the only change.

Former Nottingham Forest winger Chris Allen will continue his quest to try and earn a contract with Burnley after helping the reserves to a 1-1 draw with Rotherham last night.

"He did okay but I think he's a little bit short of match practice," Ternent added.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.