A MYSTERY Nationwide Division One club has made a backdoor bid for Burnley's striker Andy Cooke.

But Clarets manager Adrian Heath has issued a stern hands-off warning with interest growing in the young centre-forward.

"I've had one or two firm enquiries for Cookey," admitted Heath.

"A First Division club are very keen but I've told them there is nothing doing.

"He is definitely not for sale and I've told the people who have asked about him that they can forget it."

The Clarets centre-foward finished the season in impressive form with a sparkling hat-trick against Watford on the final day of the League season.

And Cooke made the number nine shirt his own following the departure of Kurt Nogan to Preston with eight league goals from only 11 starts.

"I am certainly not surprised that clubs are looking at Andy Cooke because he is a terrific prospect," added Heath.

"He is a young man with a big future ahead of him if he continues to develop. He is a good listener and is keen to learn and improve his game. "He has all the right attributes to be a very good centre-forward and to play at a higher level.

"It gives me a lot of satisfaction when Premiership and Division One managers are looking at the likes of Andy, Paul Smith, Chris Brass and Paul Weller."

Cooke arrived at Turf Moor from League of Wales club Newtown in April 1995 for £40,000 with the 23-year-old one of the hottest properties in non-League football. Now any future bid would be sure to attract 10 times that sum if Cooke continues to attract interest next season and the goals continue to flow.

Cooke made his Clarets debut in a 1-1 draw at York City in the same year, scoring Burnley's goal.

All existing season ticket holders should have received written notification regarding their seats. The last day for season ticket re-claims is Saturday, June 7.

Fulham manager Mickey Adams was today getting used to joining the big time after the surprise takeover of Burnley's Division Two rivals Fulham by Mohamed Al Fayed.

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