DEPARTING Turf Moor director Basil Dearing has told the Turf Moor board: "You must act NOW."

Dearing made his final decision to step down yesterday with an official letter to chairman Frank Teasdale.

Now the five-man board will discuss director Clive Holt's position at an emergency meeting at Turf Moor.

In a statement Dearing claimed: "The truth of the matter is that the vast majority of shareholders will want the board to take the necessary action now.

"The shareholders will be looking to the board to sort this matter out as soon as possible.

"I confirmed that, if it was the wish of the other directors, and the shareholders, I would be pleased to continue. But I still did not feel able to work with Mr Holt. Mr Holt did not wish to stand down. He added: "I have therefore tendered my resignation in accordance with the Articles of Association of the Club, which state that a director must give one month's notice that he resigns his office.

"However, I do not believe that my actions will in any way affect the performance of the team.

"I would not accept this situation as an excuse for a poor performance on the football field."

Dearing, the Burnley FC club solicitor, admits he had considered his decision 'at length' to quit. His shock announcement came at the 98th AGM last month.

"I resign with great sadness and sorrow," he added. "I will miss my boardroom involvement with Burnley terribly.

"But I came to the conclusion, over the past few weeks, that I had little other option.

"Indeed, my resolve was strenghtened by the resolve of shareholders and supporters alike who I've spoken with since the Annual General Meeting." Dearing resigned after he claimed he could no longer work with fellow director Clive Holt after a row over share buying. Holt, in turn, is set to make a decision on his future at Burnley.

Meanwhile, away from the boardroom machinations, right full-back Gary Parkinson successfully negotiated an hour of last night's excellent 2-1 Pontins League Division Two victory at Middlesbrough.

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