ADRIAN Heath today vowed: "I am ready to make major decisions at Turf Moor!" writes TONY DEWHURST.

Burnley signed off with a 4-1 hammering of Watford as Andy Cooke netted his first professional hat-trick.

Heath said: "We will come back stronger as a football club next August. There is work to be done over the summer and very important decisions will have to made.

"We're hoping to bring in the necessary players to take this club forward another step and take us out of this division. That is the number one priority for me.

"First, though, there are certain areas of the side that need to be strengthened for us to achieve that.

"Most importantly, we need to be far more competitive all over the field.

"If that means a turnover of staff then so be it. I've made my mind up about the players I want to keep and the ones I want to release.

"Even if the season proved a failure in terms of not getting promotion, I think certain elements of the season were a success."

Heath is expected to announce his retained list on Thursday with several professionals likely to be granted a free transfer.

"I will be in a position to say more once I've met with the board of directors and informed the players. We must look at the overall position and make several important decisions."

Burnley's emphatic win clinched ninth place for the Clarets and Heath added: "It was a super performance and I think 4-1 flattered Watford."

"Some of our play in the first half was as well as we've played for a long time. It was an extremely encouraging performance. "We moved the ball quickly and got it into the front men. It wasn't an easy game to come and play because we haven't played that well recently.

"It was a special day for Andy Cooke with his first ever hat-trick. I am sure it will be the first of many for him because he works so hard at his game."

And Heath praised the Clarets support and added: "The supporters were magnificent. Their reaction towards the players at the end was magnificent."

Former Manchester United winger David Hilton is expected to get another run out for Burnley Reserves when the second string go to York City tonight.

The squad is: O'Leary, Russell, Huxford, Vinnicombe, Scott, Heywood, Smith, Gleghorn, Little, Helliwell, Carr-Lawton, Hilton. Subs to be announced.

Heath played for Stoke City Old boys yesterday as part of their final game celebrations at the Victoria Ground. The FIrst Division club are moving to a new stadium in the city next season.

"It was quite an emotional day for the Stoke fans and it was great to see a lot of old faces again."

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