IF the disappointment of not making the play-offs was not bad enough for Clarets fans, the ups and downs to and from the first division mean they are facing plenty more miles for the next campaign.

Gone are nice and handy Manchester City, Crewe, Stockport, Barnsley and West Bromwich Albion, all comfortably within a couple of hours by car.

Coming are trips to Brighton, Reading, Leicester, Derby and probably Ipswich.

And so it will be with interest that Clarets fans will be watching the play-off finals next weekend to see if they have got another couple of long hauls to plan for.

In the second division play-off final all bar the London Clarets will probably be hoping that Stoke City are the victors over Brentford as already next season the fans have got to go to Selhurst Park (twice) the New Den and Watford, not to mention deepest darkest Kent with a trip to Gillingham.

And, having spent the last day of the season praying that Norwich City would lose, fans could not be blamed for crossing their fingers in the hope that the Canaries see off Birmingham City in the first division play-off final.

A journey to Norwich, as well as the expected visit to Portman Road, is enough to make the most hardened fan feel a bit travel weary.

But given that all these trips are going to have to be made, the hope for both the club and the fans is that the fixture computer is very kind before details are announced on June 13.

Tuesday nights in Brighton, Gillingham and Ipswich are not what is wanted!