BURNLEY boss Jimmy Mullen today defended his shock decision to sell fans' favourite Adrian Randall to Second Division strugglers York City.

The Turf Moor midfield star put pen to paper on a three-year deal at York today and will make his Bootham Crescent debut against Bournemouth on Saturday.

But the news has brought a furore from Clarets fans who believe Randall's departure will further weaken the squad following the pre-Christmas departure of Adrian Heath to Sheffield United.

"Obviously you always stand to get flak when you sell a player who is popular with the fans but I believe we have made the right decision in the long term," said Mullen.

"The deal is in the best interests of both the player and the respective clubs. Despite what people may say, the parting of the ways is an amicable one.

"Adrian Randall made his intentions clear when he asked me for a move a short while ago. He felt he needed to leave Burnley.

"I said I would keep him informed if a club came in for him. York were keen and we have now come to an agreement."

The £140,000 Randall deal represents a Bootham Crescent transfer record and he leaves after four years at Turf Moor.

But clearly Randall's past disciplinary problems at Turf Moor have proved a major factor in Burnley's decision to part company with the 1994/95 Supporters Player of the Season. "On his day there are few to match him at this level," added Mullen.

"He is a crowdpleaser. But he could also be a luxury.

"Unfortunately, that was the case on some occasions.

"There was also a question mark about his consistency at times. We have experienced players like Warren Joyce and hungry young men like Gerry Harrison, John Borland and Derek Adams who are all now pressing hard for a place in the midfield department.

"Those players will get a chance to shine. We also have the prospect of Steve Thompson coming back into the frame. We are not short in the midfield area.

"We have made a healthy profit on the deal and that will enable me to go out and add to the squad. I will probably face stick at the end of the day. But you have to do what you feel is best for the club. At this moment in time, I feel selling Adrian Randall was the right decision for Burnley." Meanwhile, Burnley's crunch Second Division fixture at Swindon Town on Saturday is in "grave danger" of postponement.

With the County Ground pitch frozen solid, Swindon have called in a local referee to make a pitch inspection tomorrow morning.

"The fixture is in grave danger and it has to be very doubtful whether the game goes ahead," explained Swindon secretary Jon Pollard.

"The surface is frozen solid and the weather forecast suggests it is going to get worse. We have suggested to Burnley that they put their travel plans on hold and we will try and reach a decision tomorrow. We want to save both sets of supporters from making an wasted journey."

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