A Clarets boss is backing calls to reinstate a vital section of rail track and open up Burnley’s horizons to Manchester and beyond.

Burnley FC chief executive Paul Fletcher has spoken out to back the borough council’s ambitions to reopen the 450-metre long Todmorden Curve, which will drastically reduce journey times to the city.

Councillors have approved a £170,000 package for a demand study on the proposals but question marks remain over the multi-million pound funding needed to make the dreams a reality.

But Mr Fletcher believes the time for talking is over and action should be taken to ensure the initiative has a realistic chance of succeeding.

Earlier this year the Clarets revealed their own far-reaching blueprints, which could see a football university created, as part of the redevelopment of the existing cricket field stand end.

Mr Fletcher believes a rail link would make life easier for fans travelling to the ground and students attending the new university.

He said: “It is only 450 metres of track and in the big scheme of things £6million or £7million is not a huge amount of money.

“We need to make this happen for the people of Burnley. But we have been talking about it for 20 or 30 years and we need to make it happen and stop messing around.”

Club officials have made no secret of the fact that they will be looking to attract students from all over the country to their ‘football university’ concept - but transport links with the major conurbations are seen as necessary to give the town a more cosmopolitan feel.

Mr Fletcher has met with borough council chief executive Steve Rumbelow to check on progress regarding the Todmorden Curve. The council also has high hopes of overhauling Burnley Manchester Road station.

The scheme has been earmarked as a top priority both by the Pennine Lancashire partnership and Lancashire County Council.