COLIN Waldron believes Burnley were beaten before the season began, but doesn’t think they will have to wait another 33 years to tackle the top flight again.

The former defender, who was promoted and relegated with the Clarets in the 1970s, feels the current crop should have aimed higher than just survival.

However, he feels they will be stronger, in the long run, for everything this season has thrown at them – the triumph and adversity – and be better prepared to follow in West Brom’s footsteps and bounce back.

“When we came up, we came up as champions, and all the staff, players and spectators were thinking ‘How high could we finish?’, ‘Could we finish in Europe?’,” said Waldron, who made more than 300 league appearances in almost nine years at Turf Moor.

“We had an early test playing Manchester City in the Charity Shield, which we won 1-0, and we knew then that we were strong and had a good side.

“In contrast, the current team came up in fifth position, and because the gap between the top two divisions is wider now than when we played, everyone’s mindset was ‘After 33 years, can we stay up?’.”

But while Waldron has noticed contrasts, there are similarities that proved as costly more than 30 years on.

“The secret to staying up when we were promoted as champions was having a team with fantastic balance,” said the 63-year-old.

“The problem came when we started picking up injuries – which you do, and we did. The replacements unbalance you and you’re not as strong as you were.

“We had a thin squad and the conveyor belt of young kids coming through was slowing down.”

Burnley chairman Barry Kilby this week noted that the development of players such as striker Jay Rodriguez had been affected by life in the Premier League, admitting it was harder to blood them in such a ruthlessly competitive division.

The board has also been criticised in some quarters for not making enough funds available to give Burnley a fighting chance to stay up.

Waldron believes they were right to play it safe and not put the long-term future of the clubs at risk.

But it was a problem that plagued them back in the 70s.

“QPR came up at the same time as us. They were a good side, but we were just a bit better than them. But they bought and we sold,” he said.

“Cash will always be the same for Burnley. We will always suffer from the ‘small town syndrome’ “I think the board have done remarkably well. I don’t think they can afford to have too much debt because the two major players are the chairman and Brendan Flood.

“In this day and age you need a billionaire.

“The top Premier League clubs are having millions lavished on them and that’s difficult to compete with.

“I don’t think you can blame anyone for what’s happened to Burnley. To reach the play-offs, the fans must have been thrilled, then to go up at Wembley was fantastic.

“They have tasted the Premier League and it’s been great for them.

“There is no point dwelling on the past, we have to look forward and ask ourselves if we can do a West Brom.

“After going up, then down, they have come up again, and they have always done it playing football.

”They are the yardstick for us to look at.”

He added: “This (Burnley) team started off fantastically well and surpassed everyone’s thoughts.

“Sadly it wasn’t to be and going down is a kick in the teeth.

“The fans, players and staff will take it with them through the summer, but after a while they will wake up to the new season and it’s all water under the bridge.

“When you come back for pre-season training there is renewed optimism.

“I don’t think there will be another 33-year wait.”