LUTON chairman David Kohler was today revealed to be the inspiration behind Peter Shackleton's troubled £1 million 'up-front' loan.

The Second Division club chief advised his Clarets counterpart Frank Teasdale to demand the cash as a gesture of good faith.

So far, Shackleton and his backers - said to be worth $750 million - have been unable to provide the money.

And that is placing pressure on the Burnley board to seek new investment, with New York-based tycoon Ray Ingleby still keen to buy the club.

Supporters groups were today attempting to force the takeover issue with an approach to the club's Manchester-based solicitors.

But Kohler, chairman and managing director of Luton, is very sceptical about takeover bids and has taken a keen interest in the developments at Turf Moor. He said: "I always tell people to lodge a million quid before you come and talk to me.

"People around here understand that now and it saves a lot of problems.

"I told Frank Teasdale to tell anybody interested in your club to put a million pounds down.

"If they can't do that then you are just wasting your time.

"All these things do is make your life a misery and wind everybody up, the club, the fans, the Press, everybody.

"And it makes the fans' expectations too high.

"The truth is that there are not many Jack Walkers about."

Bury have rejected two £1 million offers for defenders Chris Lucketti and Paul Butler.

Middlesbrough want Lucketti, signed from Halifax, while Sunderland made a seven-figure bid for ex-Rochdale man Butler. In both cases there is a 25 per cent sell-on clause should Bury decide to part.

Neil Warnock's three new captures, Andy Preece, Dean Barrick and Steve Redmond, were all due to sign for Bury today.

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