BRENDAN Flood says Burnley must be more ambitious in their second crack at the Premier League – but he knows the first task will be hanging on to key personnel this time.

The Clarets lasted only one season in their previous spell in the top flight after controversially losing manager Owen Coyle to Bolton halfway through the 2009/10 campaign.

This time both boss Sean Dyche and stars such as Danny Ings have attracted attention for their achievements this season.

Majority shareholder Flood recently returned to the Burnley board after being a key decision-maker when the club were last promoted, and then relegated.

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He admits the Clarets did not get their approach entirely right last time they were in the Premier League, and has long since conceded that the club made a mistake when they appointed Brian Laws to replace Coyle.

“I think we know we’ve got to be more ambitious than last time, but I think we can do it with more skill,” Flood said about Burnley’s second chance in the Premier League.

“It is all about keeping hold of the best people and that’s something that we plan to do.

“We’re definitely more educated now and that will give us more opportunity to get it right.

“Last time I think we had less time to prepare and we weren’t familiar with the landscape, all the people you meet and the challenges.”

Flood had a year away from the board after the stress of his own company’s multi-million pound legal battle with bailed-out bank Anglo Irish.

The lifelong Clarets fan praised the work of everyone at the club and is thrilled at the prospect of top flight football returning to Turf Moor.

“I’m just unbelievably excited that we’re going to be back in the Premier League, it’s a dream being a Burnley lad,” he said.

“It’s amazing for us to have done it, we’re all pinching ourselves. It’s going to be all about hard work but let’s enjoy it now.

“It’s all down to the lads, they’ve had their chance and they’ve taken it.

“Everyone has worked so hard, from the board to the staff, everybody.

“It’s that commitment to the club that’s made the difference here.

“We’re all very committed from the players up and that group is how you succeed.

“I think we’ve got a recipe and hopefully we keep it. We’ve just got to keep all the best people in the building.”

Flood has a plan to prevent Dyche being tempted away one day like Coyle was.

“I know he likes a pair of shoes and I promised him a new pair if we got promoted,” he added.

“So let’s just keep ordering shoes for him and he’ll stay!”