THREE months before the start of the 2000/01 campaign and with the Clarets' end-of-season fate still undecided, Burnley have already sold over 8,000 new season tickets to set a club record.

When the discount period for sales closed last weekend, Clarets fans had snapped up 8,244 tickets.

That beats this season's number of 6,750 and according to the club is the highest number of season passes they have ever sold.

Of the new figure, which could hit 10,000 by August, 2,553 tickets have been sold to under-16s at a knock-down price of £35 -- a figure which will stay the same throughout the summer.

"There's been a fantastic response from the supporters and we are delighted. There could be even more to come and things are looking really good," said Turf Moor media and public relations manager Danny Reuben.

Tickets for Saturday's screening of the promotion showdown at Scunthorpe were also in demand at Turf Moor when they went on sale this morning.

And tonight, existing season-ticket holders will be given the details of a "momentous announcement" expected to concern a further commercial opportunity.