STEVE Davis has described being released from Burnley as the lowest point of his career.

The Clarets defender was one of 13 players told by manager Stan Ternent that they would not be offered new contracts. Graham Branch and Drissa Diallo are the only players to be offered new terms, while Matthew O'Neill and Joel Pilkington have been offered professional contracts.

But goalkeepers Nik Michopoulos and Marlon Beresford, Ian Cox, Lee Briscoe, Anthony Shandran, Mark Rasmussen, Earl Davis, Andrew Waine and Andrew Leeson were all shown the door, along with Gordon Armstrong, Paul Cook and Andy Payton.

And Davis was devastated by the news.

"Obviously I'm disappointed," said Davis, who signed for Burnley from Southampton for £60,000 in August 1991 before returning in late December 1998 after an initial four-year spell at the club.

"It's the first time that I've ever been released from a club in my career.

"It's very sad that the time I've had with the club has come to an end because I still felt I had a year or two to give to Burnley.

"But the manager has told me the decision was made for financial reasons, not footballing ones. But that still doesn't make things easier to swallow.

"I'm just disappointed that I didn't get the chance to say goodbye to the supporters, like Andy Payton and Paul Cook did last Saturday."

Davis built up a good relationship with the supporters and was handed the captain's armband in both his spells with Burnley and added: "I've been at Burnley for nine years altogether - that's over half of my career.

"And I've been lucky enough to have a good rapport with the fans.

"They have been fantastic with me over the years and I count myself fortunate for that because I know a few players who haven't been the supporters' cup of tea - not just at Burnley, at other clubs as well, and it's been difficult for them.

"But I've been fortunate enough to have a great relationship with them."

The 34-year-old hopes to stay in the North West and is keen to remain at a First Division club. But he admits the after-effects of the ITV Digital collapse last year could force his hand in looking elsewhere.

And, because of the financial plight faced by a lot of football clubs, he admitted he half expected not to be offered a new deal at Turf Moor.

"I did anticipate it, but given my position at the club as team and club captain it did come as a bit of a surprise. You can never always prepare for it.

"I was hoping that I'd stay at the club for at least another year and hopefully get the chance to have a testimonial and end my career that way. It wasn't to be. But I'd like to go on record to thank the manager for his time and efforts towards me, to the chairman and club as a whole and especially to the fans."

And the defender, who made a total of 374 appearances for the Clarets, paid tribute to manager Ternent.

"I've enjoyed working with him and it's been a successful time, getting promotion from the Second Diviision and of the verge of the First Division play-offs for two season," he said.

"It's been a roller-coaster ride with some good times and some bad.

"But I've certainly learned a lot from the manager.

"It would have been nice to be involved in putting this season behind us and having another go at promotion next year, but it's not to be.

"I think the manager seemed disappointed when he was telling me. It's a difficult job for not only him but managers everywhere. It's probably the worst part of the job.

"But it's not just me it affects. There are other players at Burnley and hundreds all over the country.

"There are going to be a lot of changes at a lot of clubs, not just Burnley. But, from my point of view, Burnley's the only club that matters to me at this moment in time."

Despite his disappointment, the amiable Northumbrian is not bitter about the end of his Burnley career.

"I'm pleased with the way I've helped the club and I have some great memories of my time here," he said.