BURNLEY new boy Lee Roche has sensationally revealed he turned down Blackburn Rovers in favour of a Turf Moor move.

The former Manchester United defender wore a smile as wide as the M65 after joining the Clarets on a two-year deal.

And Roche has turned himself into an instant fans' favourite with his revelations that he rejected Rovers, along with a clutch of Premiership clubs, for first team football with Stan Ternent's side.

Roche said: "I went down to train with Blackburn before the end of last season and they were interested in taking me.

"But it's first team football that I want and that's why I left United."

Stan finally got his man yesterday when he persuaded former Old Trafford Academy graduate Roche to quit a cushy Premiership life for a rougher ride in the Nationwide League.

The 22-year-old, who seems certain to launch his career as the Clarets' first choice right back, admitted: "I could have stayed at United another two seasons to see how things went, but I don't think that was in my best interests.

"I've been there since I was 10, through the School of Excellence and the various youth teams and Alex Ferguson has helped me every step of the way.

"All the youngsters there are brought up well, get the best coaching possible and are surrounded by the best players.

"You can't fail but pick up on some of the things they do and I was lucky enough to be involved with the first team squad quite a lot last year.

"But it was getting to the stage where I was frustrated making the squad and not getting picked.

"Everyone wants to be at Manchester United and play for them, but you only have to look at who is in front of you.

"I know I was good enough to play for them, but I never got the chance. A lot of the young players there would do well given the chance, but it's just getting that bit of luck you need."

Burnley fans might not know it, but Roche was an interested bystander in last December's Worthington Cup clash with United.

An unused substitute, the jet-heeled defender gained a valuable insight into the passion generated by an upbeat Turf Moor crowd.

So when he decided his future lay elsewhere at the end of his current deal, Roche was happy to snub all other offers in favour of joining Ternent's revolution.

The Bolton-born ace explained: "Burnley are a massive club and I know all about the fans from being here last season.

"Mr Ferguson told us it was a big club and what we could expect and I could tell straight away that the supporters are passionate about their club.

"Quite a few other clubs were interested in signing me, including some from the Premiership, but maybe I wouldn't have been a fixture in the first team straight away elsewhere and I see this as a better opportunity.

"When you get to a certain age, you need to play first team football to improve yourself. If you don't do that, you go backwards."

Roche added: "After coming down and meeting Stan, it seemed like a really ambitious club.

"He told me his plans and told me I will get the chance to play .That's all I want to do and now it's up to me to take the chance.

"Being at United was a great experience and I will always remember it, but I want to concentrate on Burnley now and do well for them.

"I know last season they didn't finish too well, but for two seasons before that they were just off the play offs. Hopefully we can get back up there this year because I want to play in the Premiership with Burnley."

FACTFILE - LEE ROCHE

Height: 5.10 Weight: 10.11 Date of birth: 28-10-1980

Place of birth: Bolton Position: Defender

Clubs

Manchester United - signed 1-8-1999 from trainee

Premiership - sub appearance v Newcastle (23-11-2002) 5-3 win

Champions League - full appearance v Deportivo (18-3-2003) 2-0 defeat

Worthington Cup -- full appearance v Arsenal (5-11-2001) 4-0 defeat

Wrexham - on loan 3-7-2000 to 31-5-2001

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