Clarets shirt sponsors P3 Computer Services are optimistic about winning the right to back the Turf Moor club again next season.

The Burnley-based computer firm have sponsored the Clarets for the past two seasons and are keen to extend that relationship.

Talks are about to take place between the two parties and P3 director Phil Whitehead stressed that the company would like to see their name across the front of Burnley's shirts again in the 2000/2001 campaign.

He said: "As is stands they have put to us what they are looking for from us. We have got to sit down in a board meeting some time next week and finally come up with our offer and hopefully take it from there.

"We are definitely keen to keep it up. We estimated what they were going to say. Financially it's not a problem. It's purely whether we go for it and I can't see why not.

"I am fairly confident for at least one more year, maybe two."

P3 came on board in the summer of 1998 after Burnley had just avoided relegation to the Third Division in the final game of the season.

The club's fortunes have since improved dramatically and advertising space on the Clarets shirts is now likely to be in greater demand.

However, P3, whose business has doubled since their involvement with the club, are hoping that they can negotiate a deal for at least another 12 months.

Whitehead, a lifelong Burnley fan, added: "When we started the club was about as low as it had been in a long time and it was a case of we were the only ones prepared to put any money there.

"There are probably quite more looking to do it now. I think it's only courtesy that we were given first refusal.

"The club's playing its cards fairly close to its chest because if they get promoted their might be other companies interested so maybe a one-year deal might be better for every one."

Any decision on Burnley's strip for next season will be delayed until after a sponsor has been appointed.

Replica shirts will be available at 25 per cent off in the February sale at the club's two shops but the club says that move is to generate extra sales and not sell off stock with a view to a replacement strip.

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