WORRIED Burnley fans today sent a clear message to the board of directors: "Adrian Heath must stay at Turf Moor."

Supporters are demanding that Burnley make an 11th-hour contract offer to try and persuade Everton-bound Heath to remain as manager.

Membership secretary of the Clarets Independent Supporters' Association, Dave Wynne said: "The board of directors must move heaven and earth to keep Adrian Heath at Burnley.

"He only has a year left on his contract. The board must push the boat out financially and make him a fresh offer of three years to try and persuade him not to go Everton as Howard Kendall's assistant.

"It will be nothing short of a disaster for Burnley if the manager is allowed to leave.

"We are going along the right lines now and making progress under Adrian Heath. He has done a very reasonable job considering the amount of money he has had to spend.

"A lot of fans think he is only a year off promotion and everybody was anticipating next season with a lot of excitement before they heard this unwelcome news.

"The board must do everything possible to try and keep him at Burnley. It is clear Adrian Heath has not made his mind up yet."

Everton have had to delay making an official announcement because Kendall, on holiday in Spain, was unable to get a flight out of the country yesterday. But Kendall was due to arrive in England this morning to have final discussions with Everton chairman Peter Johnson when Heath will be officially offered the post as Everton's number two.

"Nothing is signed and sealed so that gives the Burnley board a last window of opportunity to tempt Adrian Heath into staying at Burnley," said a Burnley Supporters' Club spokesman.

"But if Adrian Heath leaves then what next for Burnley? There is not even an assistant manager at the club.

"There is also the deep worry that Adrian Heath, if he decides to go to Everton, will then come back and try and buy our promising players like Andy Cooke or Chris Brass.

"Losing Adrian Heath will set Burnley back at least a couple of years. The board should do everything within their power to keep Inchy here."

Kendall, who launched Heath's managerial career at Sheffield United, had a seven-year spell as a player with Everton before becoming their manager for the first time in 1981.

During his first stint as manager the club won two championships, the FA Cup and the European Cup Winners' Cup before he resigned in 1987.

He returned to Goodison in 1990 but, after three successful years, walked out with the club blighted by serious financial problems.

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