ADRIAN Heath sparked his Turf Moor revolution today when he announced the release of eight Burnley apprentices.

The Turf Moor chief confirmed that the bulk of the second year batch of YTS trainees are being allowed to leave Turf Moor.

Only Carl Smith, Jason Heffernan and striker Colin Carr-Lawton are expected to be offered full professional terms. The youngsters freed are Paul Bowden, David Cotton, Richard Fogarty, Martin Francis, Adam Gray, Craig Mawson, Daniel O'Leary and Lee Pennington.

Carr-Lawton is rated as a red-hot prospect by Heath and has spent the last two months on loan with Unibond League champions Leek Town. Defender Heffernan has been a regular in Burnley's Pontin's League side this season.

Heath is expected to meet the Turf Moor board of directors to discuss a similar clear-out in the senior professional ranks and will announce his retained list next week.

Up to nine players could be allowed to leave Turf Moor if the directors give the green light for Heath to act.

Today's decision marks the the first phase of Heath's plans for revamping the youth scheme with, I understand, a new development officer in line to be appointed in the summer. Heath explained: "It is not the easiest job in the world when you have to tell young players that the club will not be keeping them on.

"One or two were borderline but it was a decision which had to be made.

"I've told all the lads that I hope they go out and prove me wrong. David Platt, Steve Bull and Geoff Thomas were all released in their teenage years and they went on to make big names for themselves in the game."

"We think that we've got a good group of kids behind them, which also influenced the decision."

Meanwhile, the reserves are in Pontin's League action tonight with Shrewsbury Town the visitors to Turf Moor (7.15pm).

Left-winger David Hilton, released by Manchester United, and who scored twice at Mansfield Town last week, is expected to feature.

"I was very impressed by David and we want to see him in action again," added Heath.

Burnley Reserves side is: Russell, Huxford, Vinnicombe, Scott, Heywood, Smith, Gleghorn, Little, Hilton, Robinson, Helliwell. Subs: Eastwood, Carr-Lawton, Heffernan.

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