AN influential body of Burnley supporters today appealed to the board of directors to talk to the fans about the present crisis.

Adrian Heath's shock departure on Friday, coming in the wake of Colin Harvey's earlier move to Goodison Park, has left Burnley without anyone at the helm with the players due to report back for training this week.

It could hardly have happened at a worse time and the Clarets Independent Supporters' Association are greatly concerned about the knock-on effects of losing the manager and the timing of it.

A fax was sent to Turf Moor chairman Frank Teasdale today from the Clarets ISA asking for as many invited parties as possible to get round the table and discuss the situation and, more importantly, the way forward.

The message said: "There is every chance that the events of the last week or so will precipitate a decline of similar, if not greater, proportions than those experienced in the early 80s. "Morale of the supporters, and one suspects of the players, is at rock bottom; this must be improved without delay as the season rapidly approaches.

"The board cannot continue to collectively remain beyond the reaches of the supporters who are desperate to see the problems of the last week resolved.

"The supporters are equally as desperate to offer every assistance in helping to steer the club through these times.

"This is an OPEN invitation to the board to talk, co-operate and help generate the best way forward with the club's customers, the supporters."

Meanwhile, I understand Everton are likely to offer Burnley a certain amount of compensation after Heath quit Turf Moor to take up a position as Howard Kendall's assistant at Everton.

He had a year remaining on his contract with Burnley, so the financial offer is unlikely to be massive.

Besides, it will be of scant consolation to the club faced with finding a new boss so close to the season.

Only one summer signing has been made, following the board's decision to scrap the Mark Patterson deal and time is of the essence.

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