FANS' choice Adrian Heath is back at the top of the Turf Moor managerial hit parade today.

And after a fortnight as the undisputed number one - Brian Flynn is on the slide out of the Burnley hit list.

The Wrexham manager dramatically ruled himself out of the race for the post today when he put pen to paper on a new and improved four-year contract at the Racecourse.

And that paves the way for Adrian Heath to become Turf Moor's 17th post-war manager next week.

Flynn, assistant Kevin Reeves and coach Joey Jones have all agreed a new deal which should keep the managerial team at the Racecourse until the year 2000.

And today Flynn revealed: "I never applied for the Burnley job." The former Clarets star added: "Let me put the record straight about Burnley. I was never asked to go there as manager.

"I did not apply for the job - and I said all along I wanted to stay here at Wrexham.

"There has bean a lot of speculation about me going to Burnley and that continued simply because I hadn't signed my contract.

"My major concern was the security of my staff. I wanted them to get what I was getting.

"How will the Wrexham fans react to my appointment? Positively, I hope. I know some people, for instance, believe I should live Wrexham.

"But would moving to Wrexham to live make me a better manager? I have lived in Burnley since I was 15. I'm now 40 so I've lived there for 25 years. I accept in some people's eyes I should live here, but Burnley is my home."

Racecourse chairman Pryce Griffiths added: "Brian Flynn has proved his worth as a manager and he's well respected throughout the game. "I knew all along Brian would never go to Burnley. As a matter of fact we have never even discussed him leaving here to go to Burnley."

Meanwhile, Clarets caretaker boss Clive Middlemass will put the constant speculation surrounding the Turf Moor job to one side tomorrow as Burnley tackle Lancashire rivals Blackpool at Turf Moor. "It is a very big game and I hope that the quality of the opposition will lift the lads," said Middlemass."

The Clarets welcome back David Eyres from suspension and Middlemass added: "We were punished in our last two games for individual errors. We have got to tighten up at the back."

Defender Chris Brass has suffered a further injury setback. Brass broke down in training in midweek with a groin strain. He will not feature tomorrow.

Burnley fans are urged to buy tickets in advance of the big clash at Turf Moor. Tickets for both stands and Bee Hole End terrace are already on sale. Officials warn that they cannot guarantee admission to the terrace without a ticket.

Striker Nathan Peel will be out of action for a month with medial ligament damage. Peel, currently on loan at Doncaster Rovers, was forced to undergo surgery after being stretchered off against Fulham on Monday.

"It's a real sickener," said Peel. "I had the chance of first team football again and then this happens. I should be back before the end of the season though."

The Burnley B team entertain Marine Youth at Gawthorpe tomorrow (11am).

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