A CLARETS fan who has worked at Turf Moor for 64 years is up for a national award to honour his achievement.

Jim Thompson has done everything from manning the turnstiles to making tea for the directors and driving the chief scout to games as well as being a valued member of the groundstaff.

Now the 82-year-old is up for the Football League’s Unsung Hero award at their awards ceremony on March 20.

Jim, who lives off Manchester Road, said: “I think I’m the luckiest person alive, I’ve loved every minute of working here.

“I’m never going to give it up, I will always work here.”

Jim started working at Turf Moor as a part-time job at the age of 18 but soon became a full-time employee, and only went back to part-time two years ago.

He said: “There have been some brilliant memories - obviously winning the league in the 60s was fantastic - and recently the play-off win at Wembley was great.

“There have been some bad times too, dropping down the divisions and nearly going out of business, but we’re a progressive club now.”

Jim has missed just two and a half home games in his 64 years at Turf Moor. The half game came when he made the second half of a game after dashing from his son’s wedding reception.

In his time at the club he has outlasted 23 managers and seven chairman.

He named Jimmy Adamson, Alan Brown and Harry Potts as the best managers during his time at the club.

He said: “Harry Potts was a great man, a true gentleman and man of the people.”

He also had praise for the current directors and chairman at Turf Moor.

“The people in charge are Burnley supporters and that is a good thing,” he said.

“They’re at every game not on a yacht in the Bahamas and they have the club’s best interests at heart.”

Burnley are also up for best matchday programme at the awards for the second time in three years, having won the award in 2009.