CLARETS cult hero Ted McMinn has spoken of his agony after losing his right leg through a mystery bone-eating virus.

McMinn, still fondly remembered for helping to resurrect Burnley's flagging fortunes just over a decade ago, has been swamped with well-wishes from supporters reeling at the Tin Man's' tragic news.

The winger has been forced to have his right leg amputated below the knee after contracting the infection on holiday in Greece last summer.

But the 43-year-old Scot, who entertained Clarets fans for over two years and formed an integral part of the side that defeated Stockport in the 1994 play-off final at Wembley to catapult the club back into the second tier of English football, is determined to kick a ball again in a benefit match in his honour later this year.

McMinn, who has now had a false limb fitted, said: "I've been touched by all the messages of support that I have received from everyone over the past few months and I'm humbled that such an event is taking place.

"The past year has been a nightmare which started when surgeons said something had got inside my bones and was eating my foot. At first they amputated my foot, but later they said if I didn't have the rest of the lower leg removed I would always need crutches.

"£I figured I would rather have another eight weeks of pain than a lifetime of not being able to walk properly."

McMinn, who made 54 appearances for Burnley in the mid-1990s, recalled: "It's been hard, but I still recall happier days and the time I spent at Turf Moor was definitely part of that.

"They were good times and I still keep an eye on their results and keep in touch with the likes of Steve Davis, Gary Parkinson and Jamie Hoyland.

"The highlight was definitely seeing so many Burnley fans at Wembley for that Stockport game and no-one can ever take memories like that away from me."

McMinn's first love, Derby County, have now arranged a benefit match on May 1 that will pit a team of Rams veterans including Roy McFarland and Peter TURN TO PAGE 33 FROM BACK PAGE Shilton against a Glasgow Rangers X1 featuring the likes of Chris Woods and Ally McCoist.

And McMinn, who is refusing to remain downbeat, has already set himself the challenge of appearing on an emotional day at Pride Park.

He added: "It's one thing to lose your leg, but it's another to lose yourself and I won't let that happen.

"I'll walk on that pitch and I'll kick the ball.

"What else I can do by then, who knows? I'm always competitive and I'll never let anything beat me.

Tickets for McMinn's benefit match, priced at £10 adults and £5 concessions, are available on the ticketline number 0870 444 1884.

And fans can contribute their memories of Ted's time at Burnley to a special programme being produced on the day.

Supporters are asked to send funny or serious submissions of between 20 and 200 words either to Tedtales@dcfc.co.uk or by post c/o Damon Parkin, Derby County FC, Pride Park Stadium, Derby, DE24 8XL.