New season preview

THE waiting is nearly over as Burnley count down the hours to their first Division One campaign since 1994.

Since Glen Little nearly ripped the net off at Scunthorpe on May 6, the Clarets have had their sights set on this coming Saturday.

Not until June 24 did they know they would be starting out just down the road at Bolton Wanderers.

But the promised land beckoned and a rocking Reebok Stadium will welcome the Clarets back to the top tier of the Nationwide League.

This time though, it must be more than a fleeting visit.

Burnley's last two promotions to this level have met with instant relegation and the number one target before a ball has been kicked is to avoid a similar fate and the financial penalties -- including a loss of television revenue of £2.5 million -- that go with it.

Up to now the summer has been one of speculation and crystal-ball gazing.

Saturday is all about reality.

In a 46-game season no-one's fate is decided by Christmas, never mind the end of August, and only a year ago Gillingham failed to win any of their opening six matches but still only missed out on automatic promotion on the last day of the campaign and went up through the play-offs.

However, every team in the land will be hoping to get off to a good start and Burnley will be no different.

How will the new signings perform, can last season's promotion-winners handle the step-up in class and can the Clarets live with the division's big spenders?

Only time will tell regarding the third part of the equation, although getting results against the lesser lights of Norwich, Tranmere, Preston, Gillingham, Crewe, Stockport and Grimsby will be every bit as crucial for the Clarets to achieve their goal of stability and consolidation.

On the other two counts, manager Stan Ternent is unequivocal, even if he will constantly endeavour to strengthen his squad between now and next March.

"I am confident that the players will be good enough to maintain a First Division status.

"I have every confidence in them and will back them to the hilt as I always do," he said.

"It's a big challenge but not one to be apprehensive about. I think you've got to take the bull by the horns, look forward to it and believe in your own ability.

"If you do all of those things and get a little rub of the green and a break with injuries and suspensions I don't see any reason why we can't establish ourselves as a good First Division football club this coming year. "You have got to be realistic, but that's not to say we are just trying to stay in the First Division," he added.

Ternent, who kept Bury in the division three seasons ago before taking on the challenge at Turf Moor, has gone for the tried and tested formula in his limited forays into the transfer market.

Kevin Ball twice led Sunderland up from Division One as skipper and his leadership and fighting qualities in the centre of midfield following his arrival from Fulham will be vital for Burnley's prospects.

The Clarets needed another proven goalscorer to compliment Andy Cooke and key man Andy Payton and Northern Ireland international Phil Gray has joined from Luton to fill that role.

And where a specialist left-sided defender was also required, Ternent went out to sign former England under-21 international Lee Briscoe, who has all the attributes to produce the goods week-in, week-out.

Defensively Burnley will have to be strong to come through what will be a major test and the central defensive trio of Steve Davis, Ian Cox and Mitchell Thomas will again be key performers.

Cox was signed from Bournemouth last winter with the First Division in mind and others looking to take the elevation in their stride will be Cooke, Glen Little and Paul Weller.

The likes of Paul Crichton, Paul Cook, John Mullin, Micky Mellon, Lenny Johnrose and Graham Branch have done it before at this level and there is plenty of competition for places within the Clarets' squad.

I think there's also enough quality to prosper, although Burnley will have to make home advantage count and keep their key players fit.

It could be a test of nerve along the way. But Burnley have shown in recent times they have that in abundance and having worked so hard to get here, I don't see them letting it slip.