BURNLEY FC could review its contract with sports kit supplier adidas following fan fury over the late delivery of the club's new replica strips.

The development was revealed today as a company spokesman admitted today it could be early August before the kits are in the shops - and he did not know the reason why.

Thousands of fans banking on the club's promise that they would be available to wear on holiday in Burnley wakes weeks, will be disappointed.

Delivery of the home and away kits - and 5,000-8,000 are expected to be sold - was first promised for early June, but the supplier failed to deliver.

Further dates given to local sportswear stores by Stockport-based adidas were not met.

Now club commercial manager, Peter Davies, says delivery will be July 27 - after the Clarets' pre-season tour and just two weeks before the start of the new season. But there was further confusion today when an adidas spokesman said it was likely to be August before the strips were on the streets.

Ashley Mann, of London public relations firm, Hill and Knowlton said the company regretted the delay, caused by the company's sub-contract manufacturer.

But he could not give a specific reason for late delivery.

"We are looking for the reason, because it is a very serious matter.

"We totally understand the fans' feelings," he said.

He added: "We are now looking for delivery about August time, it is going to be August... but before the new season."

Mr Davies last week promised fans the strips would arrive before the local holidays.

Today he said he was deeply disappointed.

"It is no fault of ours and we have done all we can to ensure they arrived by the promised date."

He said: "The fans have my entire sympathy, but we are not to blame." Mr Davies said it was inevitable the club would be looking at the contract with adidas, which had one more year to run, but any decisions would be for the the Burnley board.

Compensation would be a matter which would also have to be looked into, he added.

Burnley sports shop owner and former Clarets star, Peter Noble, said: "All we have had is new dates and more excuses since the beginning of June.

"I am getting loads of calls from people who have paid deposits weeks ago and still don't know where they stand.

"They are so disappointed and angry they can't now have the kits in time for the holidays."

Colne Clarets Supporters' Club president Tony Bannister said fans had been badly let down.

"Late delivery of Burnley strips seems to happen again and again. This really is ridiculous."

Club director Bob Blakeborough said it appeared Burnley was in the same position as all other Adidas-supplied clubs apart from Newcastle, and even their strips were late arriving.

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