HAPPINESS is not only a certain type of cigar.

It's also the key to getting the best out of Burnley winger Graham Branch.

Like goalkeepers and some England football coaches, wingers are a breed unto themselves.

More often than not the most naturally gifted players in their side, they traditionally have a capacity to bewitch and frustrate in equal measures.

Branch is determined not to fall into that trap and is striving to stamp his undoubted talent on every performance in a claret and blue shirt.

"I don't want to be 35 and wish I had tried a bit harder.

"People always associate the word consistency with me and if I can get that sorted out I will be all right," he said.

Whether Branch succeeds would appear to depend on his state of mind. Happy off the field and happy on it is the secret to his success.

And fortunately for Burnley and their supporters, Branch is a contented man since escaping his troubles at Stockport to arrive at Turf Moor on a free transfer at the turn of the year.

"I am very happy at Burnley, more than happy. I get on very well with the manager," he said.

"He has told me if I have got any problems to come and speak to him. I have never had that with other managers, someone I could really talk to. "He says if you have got any problems go and see him and that puts your mind at ease.

"He's a very good manager anyway. He's got the respect of the lads who will go on the pitch and perform for him. The lads are more than willing to do that.

"I don't feel any pressure at Burnley, even though it's the biggest club I have played for.

"I just feel so much at ease. The fans appreciate me quite a lot and as far as I am concerned I can only improve.

"All my friends have noticed in my day-to-day life how much happier I am.

"I have got to get a balance of being happy and being settled and if that's the case I can only get a lot better."

When the mix isn't right it's been proved in the past that the Liverpudlian is unlikely to perform to his full potential - another word often used in the same sentence as Branch.

Having enjoyed playing under John King and initally John Aldridge at Tranmere, things started to go wrong following a contract dispute with Aldridge which hardened Branch's desire to leave Prenton Park last summer.

"He said a lot of bad things in the papers. I knew quite early in the season I was going to leave," said Branch.

First Division rivals Stockport County moved in for him but things quickly turned sour as Branch and manager Gary Megson fell out.

"Gary Megson picked faults with everything, even in training. You can't do that if you expect them to go and perform on Saturday.

"I hope it's third time lucky and I think it will be. It's up to me to show people what I can do," Branch added.

That dispute at Stockport cost Branch a month's training and playing.

The ring-rustiness and a bronchial infection have dulled his initial impact at Burnley.

But having come through only his second full 90 minutes for the club at Lincoln City last Saturday, today's visit of Luton Town gave him the opportunity to light up Turf Moor for the first time. Very quick and well balanced on the ball he should provide the perfect foil for Glen Little on the opposite flank as Stan Ternent's side develops into a team capable of challenging for promotion in the not-too-distant future.

"Burnley is a sleeping giant. The support is unbelievable and if we get to the First Division we can definitely be like a Wolves with big crowds.

"It should be a very exciting time. There's definitely a good buzz about it and it's up to us and whoever else might come in just to keep it going," Branch said.

At 26, Branch, who enjoys the daily drive to training at Gawthorpe from his Wirral home, is something of a late developer and Burnley should benefit from his best years.

He had made only 109 Football League appearances, including three on a short loan spell at Wigan, prior to the start of this season which means there is plenty left in the tank.

Although he comes from a strong football family - his uncle played for Liverpool reserves and his younger cousin Michael is an England under-21 striker on the staff at Everton - Branch's big break came relatively late.

He didn't have an apprenticeship with a professional club and was a college student on a history, biology and social studies course who was just reaching his twenties when Tranmere plucked him from the West Cheshire League. "When I used to play for Heswall I knew I was a bit better than the players I was playing against," he admitted.

"Clubs were interested and I found it hard to focus on my studies because all I wanted to be was a footballer. I thought I could have left it too late but I still had ambitions.

"Everton wanted to take me on trial out to Yugoslavia but I thought it would be better to join a club like Tranmere and work my way up so I signed for them.

"I always knew I was good enough to move on. I just kept hoping and I got the chance. The rest is history, as they say."

Perhaps those studies didn't go to waste then, although football history beats that in the text books any day.

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