TONY Parks was hoping to land a new contract offer today to round off a perfect week for the Burnley goalkeeper.

Parks' 12-month deal expires this summer but the understudy to Chris Woods hopes to remain with the Clarets.

And he proved his value to the squad last night by keeping a clean sheet, including a penalty save, to earn Burnley reserves the win they needed over York City to win promotion and the Pontin's League Second Division title.

"It would be nice to get a contract," said Parks, who was due to report to Turf Moor with the rest of the players for their end of season review today.

"I have thoroughly enjoyed my year at the club, I really have, and though it's been a bit of downer for the first team lads we have all stuck together and managed to keep out of trouble.

"I would love to be offered a contract because obviously I would sign it and that would be the end of a good week."

While last night's title-clinching victory was far removed from the final of the Uefa Cup, Parks - who made his name by winning that trophy for Tottenham with his penalty shoot-out heroics in 1984 - stressed that it had still been a big result.

He added: "No matter what level you are playing at you like winning. There was a trophy for last night and it meant a lot.

"There are a few of us like myself, Jamie Hoyland, Nigel Gleghorn and Ian Helliwell who are getting on in years a little bit and to win a trophy, it doesn't matter at what level, is still nice.

"Before the game they said they had brought the trophy along for if we won and that's always a bit of a bad omen but we worked really hard. York played well as well, the crowd turned up and I think enjoyed it and it's been a good night."

Parks and the other senior players were praised by reserve team coach Gordon Cowans who has guided the Clarets second string to their first promotion since rejoining the Pontin's League in 1991. "It's people like Jamie Hoyland who have made it easy for me. The likes of Jamie, Tony Parks, Chris Vinnicombe, Nigel Gleghorn, Ian Helliwell and all the olders lads have been absolutely superb," said Cowans.

"These are lads who are coming to the end of their careers and maybe not in the first team and who will maybe move on or whatever but their attitude right throughout the season has been superb.

"We have had a good mix of kids and older ones and it helps having people like that around the place because it rubs off on the kids and they can see how they should be going about their jobs."

Burnley's elevation to the First Division will see them play the likes of Middlesbrough, Coventry, Wolves and Manchester City next season.

Cowans added: "Some of those lads maybe won't be here so it will be big test for the young lads but that's what it's all about, pitting yourself against better players. We will be playing in some nice stadiums next year as well which will be nice for them."

Wigan manager John Deehan was named as the Second Division manager of the month for April after his side won five and drew one of their seven games in the month, including a a 5-1 drubbing of Burnley, to climb well clear of relegation danger into a final position of 11th in the table.

Previous sport story

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