THE Burnley board today strongly denied asking director Clive Holt to quit his post.

Now Burnley's directors will strive to thrash out the growing Turf Moor boardroom crisis at an emergency meeting next week.

The development arrives after the Lancashire Evening Telegraph revealed that director Basil Dearing had tendered his official resignation to chairman Frank Teasdale.

The paralysed five-man board must await the decision of director Clive Holt before any announcement can be made on a future successor to Dearing.

"I very much regret his decision and I'm sorry he has decided on this action," said Holt.

"Discussions are continuing at board level. But it is a very delicate situation and I can't add anything more at present." Supporters are already anxious that the under-fire board reach a rapid decision and a satisfactory solution to the crisis.

But already fans' opinion shows that support for Holt and Teasdale is split down the middle.

Holt is widely regarded as the driving force behind the Turf Moor stadium developments, while the chairman is the man many supporters credit for saving the club from extinction a decade ago.

But the key question is whether an amicable solution can be found to the impasse if Holt decides to fight for his place on board.

Clearly, the current situation cannot be allowed to continue for much longer and the public wrangles have destabilised the club on and off the field.

And, without a united and progressive board, the very development of Burnley Football Club is at stake.

There are a limited number of seats left on the Burnley Supporters Club coach to Norwich City for the FA Youth Cup tie against Norwich City at Carrow Road on Monday. All seats £10. For details ring 01706 216457.

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