ANGRY Burnley fans are threatening a season ticket boycott at Turf Moor.

Loyal supporters are furious after close neighbours Preston North End won the race for ace defender Colin Murdock after the Clarets were favourites to sign the Northern Ireland international from Manchester United.

And with Lancashire Evening Telegraph player of the season Gary Parkinson due to have further talks with the Deepdale club, concern is mounting among the fans that Burnley are no longer able to compete effectively in the transfer market.

Dave Wynne, membership secretary of the Clarets Independent Supporters' Association, said: "The fans are up in arms and I know several people who are not going to renew their season tickets until Adrian Heath is given the financial backing he deserves.

"It is clear we are getting left behind as a football club when we are not able to compete with the Wigans and Prestons of this world.

"We appeared to have the Colin Murdock signing in the bag and it is obvious Preston were able to offer him more money.

"Now the fans, understandably, want a firm commitment from the board of directors to Adrian Heath to make some positive signings in the summer.

"They need to see that happening before they will pay out their hard-earned money for a new ticket.

"The board have to come up with serious money or encourage outside investors to get involved with Burnley.

"A lot of fans I have spoken to feel so sorry for the manager. He is obviously wanting to bring people in but the current situation at the club is not allowing that important investment to be made.

"It is even more frustrating when you look at the money Jimmy Mullen was allowed to waste and now the current manager is paying the price.

"There is a general feeling of frustration with the current board of directors and, clearly, there is a distinct lack of ambition. When Preston can offer bigger wages to a player and we cannot compete then that is deeply worrying." "The manager is operating with his hands tied firmly behind his back.

"Adrian can offer a player what the board of directors sanction. That is why Colin Murdock slipped through our fingers."

Mr Wynne added: "Who will Adrian be allowed to sign? If he is forced to go for players in the twilight of their careers and on the cheap, then we have little hope of making major progress.

"Most fans believe we have a manager in place who can get us out of this division. But he needs cash, not peanuts, to help him achieve that goal."

Burnley fan Dave Maudsley from Lostock Hall near Preston has not missed a league or cup game in five years.

He fully supports the ISA stance and added: "I was out with a lot of Burnley fans at the weekend and not one person is happy at the direction the club is taking.

"There is a lot of dissatisfaction and unrest among the fans. On the one hand Adrian Heath has done his best to try and get the younger players like Chris Brass and Paul Smith signed up on long contracts.

"But it seems he is not being allowed to bring in the right sort of experience and quality to complement them.

"I know a few people who are season ticket holders and they are thinking about not renewing and just going to away games because the board just don't seem to be interested in the fans.

"It seems to be the same story every year and that is very frustrating for the fans who support Burnley."

Burnley's adopted race horse, Turf Moor, is back in action at Musselburgh near Edinburgh tonight. The Valley Paddocks Racing horse, who claimed second place in her first race at Thirsk, is due to go in the 6.30. Sky Sports 3 are scheduled to show the race live. ACC

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