TURF Moor fans' favourite Adrian Randall is on the verge of joining Second Division rivals York City.

Today though there were conflicting reports over the proposed £140,000 transfer deal.

York insisted they had signed Randall after he watched the 3-0 Boxing Day defeat to Bradford City at Bootham Crescent.

But Burnley are saying the deal is far from cut and dried.

However York boss Alan Little remains confident he will secure Randall's signature in the next 48 hours.

Little said: "He's quality. He's elegant on the ball and scores goals.

"He has the ability to get the side going and is a fantastic ball player.

"I've liked him for a very long time."

The proposed move would smash the York City transfer record.

News of Randall's expected departure will be a hammer blow for his many supporters at Turf Moor who will be shocked and dismayed by the transfer.

While he has not commanded a regular first team place for the Clarets this season, flair-player Randall is still one of the most exciting players in the current Clarets squad.

Voted 1994/95 Supporters Player of the Season, he was one of Burnley's major playing assets in the disastrous First Division relegation campaign.

But clearly events have turned sour since last May. I understand a disgruntled Randall requested a move away from Turf Moor and has not enjoyed the best of times this season.

If the deal does go through, as now appears likely, the Clarets will at least be able to secure a sizeable profit for Randall who joined Burnley from Aldershot four years ago for £40,000 as Jimmy Mullen's first signing.

But today Clarets boss Mullen remained cautious and guarded over the transfer.

He would only reveal: "York have inquired about Adrian Randall but thedeal has not gone through yet.

"Adrian Randall has spoken to York and something could happen today."

Meanwhile, Burnley and Blackpool are searching for an early New Year date after yesterday's Boxing Day clash at Blackpool fell victim to the big winter freeze.

The Lancashire derby was called off after an 11.30 pitch inspection at Bloomfield Road.

A severe frost on the Fylde Coast left the surface frozen and unable to take a stud.

"We called for an early pitch inspection because we wanted to make sure people did not make an unecessary journey from Burnley," explained Blackpool managing director Gill Bridge.

"The referee walked the pitch for quarter of an hour, but eventually he decided the surface was far too dangerous.

"There was also not going to be a let-up in the temperatures with no chance of a thaw."

She added: "It was a great disappointment to lose the game because the fixture was a complete sell-out."

No new date has been set for the fixture, but tickets will be valid for the re-arranged match.

Burnley now have two League games to re-arrange - the Boxing Day date at Blackpool and the trip to face Crewe Alexandra at Gresty Road.

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