BURNLEY cricket fans can hardly wait for the football season to start.

While their side was being dismissed methodically and ultimately surpassed by fellow strugglers Rawtenstall, some supporters were debating whether Bambo will be a Clarets acquisition by August 17.

"He's a former Portuguese Under 19 international - he must be good," said one.

"Maybe he could play a bit of cricket too," quipped his mate.

In case you have been left in any doubt, the summer has not been particularly rewarding for Burnley's faithful.

"One more wicket, Burnley, that's all we want," cried out another follower.

They fact that, at the time, they required eight more to win the match said it all.

Not much is expected these days at Turf Moor.

But that may be about to change.

A youth policy has been implemented by the club and investment in the future is being taken very seriously.

The process is slow and tortuous but one which captain Peter Brown, despite his team being in a lower position now than this time last year, believes is already bearing fruit.

"Performance-wise, I think there has been considerable improvement all round," he insists.

"When you consider that we lost Jon Harvey at the end of last season, a player who scored 1,000 runs and took 30 wickets, we haven't done at all bad.

"This season we've accounted for Rishton, Bacup and East Lancs who are all up there chasing for honours.

"So there is definitely talent in our side and the signs are that we're improving all the time.

"What some of our players do lack is experience.

"And by giving them the opportunity now, they will hopefully reap the benefit in a few seasons, which will be good for the club.

"It's a long process - it may take three or four years.

"But, by then, we hope to be consistent enough not only to compete with the likes of Rishton but to contend as well."

Brown will be the first to accept that a poor batting display left Burnley hopelessly out of contention on Saturday. Granted, the wicket was bouncy and suited the bowlers. It took Rawtenstall almost 43 overs to reach their modest total.

But Burnley repeatedly got players in who subsequently sold their wicket cheaply.

None more so than professional Rudra Singh, nicely poised on 17 after just firing a six, when he sliced a fairly harmless Pat Rush delivery to Tony Greenwood who made a fine catch. Then Andy McLeod reached 30 before he too succumbed to Rush, Richard Wood this time taking the catch.

Ian Whitehead, Chris Wright, Peter Brown and David Connolly all reached double figures but could not sustain the effort.

Rawtenstall professional Guy Whittall and fellow opener Wood proved it was possible to get in and stay in, their 76 partnership virtually sealing the match.

Mark Wilson was run out without contributing to the cause but, despite losing three more wickets along the way, the visitors won at a canter.

This morning, 16-year-old Michael Brown went under the surgeon's knife to relieve a stress fracture to his back.

He is out for the rest of the season as is Jamie Brewster who has gone to live in Jersey.

Burnley hardly need these setbacks - the rebuilding process will be arduous enough.

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