COLIN Harvey said his goodbyes to Turf Moor today and admitted: "I would only have left Burnley for Everton," writes TONY DEWHURST.

The former Clarets number two takes over as youth team director at Goodison Park on Monday after three months as Adrian Heath's assistant.

But Harvey admits the decision to leave Burnley and old pal Heath behind proved a tough one to make.

"I've enjoyed every single second working with Adrian Heath and this great club. I'm desperately sorry to be leaving it behind.

"But the job offer from Everton is not one I could have turned down and I'm sure Burnley fans will understand my decision.

"I've always had a great spiritual attachment to Everton. It was the club I supported as a kid and then I played, coached and finally managed them.

"They have been part of my life for so many years and coaching young players is an aspect of football management which I love. The job description really appeals to me.

"But, truthfully, there is only one club I would have left Burnley for - and that's Everton."

Harvey added: "I always knew about the passion of Burnley but the town is totally football daft.

"Most towns you visit you usually see kids wandering around in Manchester United or Liverpool shirts, but in Burnley you see grown men standing at the bus stops with replica shirts on.

"The support is really incredible and everybody in the town wants the club to do well." Harvey has no doubts that Heath is on course to steer Burnley back into the Nationwide League top flight a year from now.

Harvey added: "I can only see Inchy going on to great things with Burnley.

"I'm convinced he is on the right lines and the two recent signings (Gentile, Patterson) are terrific captures.

"I knew him as a young player at Everton and I was always impressed with his thirst for knowledge. He is a bright boy and is probably the cleverest footballer I've ever worked with.

"I know his budget is a bit tight at Burnley but everybody is pulling together down there to try and help him.

"There is a terrific atmosphere at the club and the place is geared to success. I think Inchy is providing that start.

"If there were end of season awards for hard work and total dedication then Inchy would win it for the work he puts in down there."

Meanwhile, Heath has firmly denied any transfer link with unsettled striker Fabian De Freitas.

A report had linked the Osasuna striker with a £400,000 move to Turf Moor.

But it appears to be well wide of the mark with Heath stressing that the player is not in his thoughts as he plans his strategy for another Second Division promotion assault.

Heath observed: "The general manager of Osasuna is a very good friend of mine from my time at Espanol and I was speaking to him about four months ago when Fabian De Freitas' name cropped up.

"He said he had started the season quite brightly but had since faded away and there was talk of him coming back to England.

"But there was never any suggestion of the player joining Burnley. I don't know where this story has surfaced from but there is definitely no interest from us."

Burnley's Football in the Community scheme are running a series of Summer Holiday Soccer Schools next month, starting at Gawthorpe Training Ground from July 9-11. The school will also be running at other venues. Further details from 01282 700011.

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