ADRIAN Heath wrote off £1 million worth of Turf Moor talent today as he announced his end-of-season retained list.

And the major shock was the release of ex-Clarets captain Steve Thompson.

The 32-year-old midfielder joins forward Liam Robinson, reserve team goalkeeper Wayne Russell and youngster Jamie Webster as the four professionals released.

While Mark Winstanley, former England Under-21 international Chris Vinnicombe and tall striker Ian Helliwell - who still has a year of his contract to run - are all available for transfer.

Heath is expected to have fresh talks with defender Richard Huxford later this week and he also confirmed that Gary Parkinson will be offered new and improved terms for next season.

Thompson, bought from Leicester City in February 1995 for a £200,000 fee, said: "I've never had a free transfer in my life and I'm deeply disappointed and shocked.

"Things never really worked out for me at Turf Moor and I don't think the Burnley fans ever saw the real Steve Thompson.

"I'll just have to come to terms with the situation and try and get fixed up with a new club.

"I know I can still do a job for someone and I would like to get a club in the North-West. I read something about Wigan but I've not heard anything from them.

"The decision, I suppose, gives me a fresh start and that is probably what I've needed for a long time."

Another experienced name on his way out of Turf Moor is striker Liam Robinson, but his release is less of a surprise after Robinson did not feature in Heath's plans this season.

Jimmy Mullen broke the Turf Moor transfer record when he signed the player from Bristol City in the summer of 1994 for £250,000 but he did not deliver the goals expected.

Winstanley arrived a month later for £150,000 from Bolton Wanderers while Chris Vinnicombe signed from Glasgow Rangers for £200,000 following Burnley's play-off victory at Wembley.

A regular in the left-back berth, a broken jaw and a fractured ankle kept Vinnicombe out of action for several months.

And, once fit again, his opportunties were severely limited this season with David Eyres the first choice for the left wing-back slot.

Heath said: "The directors have backed me completely in what I wanted to do and I want to thank them for that.

"It was not an easy decision for them but I think it will be in the best interests of the club in the long term.

"It will give me extra room to manoeuvre in the transfer market over the summer and I will be looking to make at least four new signings.

"Although Mark and Chris are available to go we will retain their registrations and we will require fees for both of them.

"I would just like to place on record my thanks to all the players for their efforts for the club and wish them all the best in the future."

You still have a chance to vote for the Lancashire Evening Telegraph Player of the Year award. Ring 0990 446644 then select the number for one of the following: 9061 Marlon Beresford, 9062 Gary Parkinson, 9063 Chris Brass, 9064 David Eyres, 9065 Paul Barnes, 9066 Paul Smith.

John Deary and ex-Burnley team-mate Wayne Dowell were both released by Rochdale today when Graham Barrow announced a clear-out at Spotland.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.