GOAL-HUNGRY Paul Barnes is ready for a Second Division feast.

That's the view of Burnley number two John Ward who has teamed up with the £375,000 Turf Moor record signing for a second time.

Barnes opened his Clarets account, scoring all Burnley's goals in last weekend's overwhelming 5-2 victory over Stockport County.

Ward, who signed Barnes from Stoke City for a bargain basement £50,000 in 1992, said: "He's a much better all-round player now and is deceptively strong.

"When I signed him from Stoke I remember Lou Macari saying that he didn't think he would score above the Third Division. He has already proved that theory wrong.

"I watched him seven or eight times in the Stoke reserve team. What impressed me most about him was that he was never frightened to go and do something again inside the penalty box, even if he had missed the target first time.

"That's the sign of a brave striker. He was never put off going into demanding positions. I likened him to Steve Bull in that respect. "Paul Barnes is a confident individual and works so hard and contributes such a lot to the team."

The Clarets assistant added: "Some strikers I've worked with in the past would have been happy against Stockport after scoring a couple of goals.

"But Paul Barnes is not like that. I said to him at half-time just to go out and get his hat-trick. I didn't imagine he would get five! It was a just reward for him."

Burnley fans can pay on the turnstiles when the Clarets visit Watford on Tuesday (7.45). 3,000 have been made available for Burnley supporters in the lower section of the Stanley Rous Stand at Vicarage Road.

Tickets are not available in advance and payment should be made at the turnstile on the day. Adults £11, conc £8.

Boundary Clarets Travel to Watford. Dukes Bar 1.15, Turf Moor 1.30, Padiham 1.45. £12, 14 non, 10 conc. Details from Paul on 01282 832100 (W), 01282 705425 (H).

Fans should note that there is no Pontins League fixture next week. Burnley will be represented at the 22nd Annual Bolton Programme Fair at the Executive Club, Burnden Park tomorrow (11-3.30 pm).

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.