EVERY man has his moment - Sunday was Stan's. It was an emotional day for my old friend and I felt privileged to share it with him.

I've never seen that emotional side of him before.

He puts across this facade of stone, but he showed just how much this club means to him.

For once I decided to take in the post-match press conference because I wanted to be there to show my support.

But I really don't think what was happening had sunk in at that stage. Now he will be burning with a new desire to come back and prove everyone wrong and few would bet on him not doing that.

For Burnley, it's the start of a brand new era and the new manager needs to hit the ground running.

Last week I cited Ronnie Moore as my choice - but it has since emerged that he has a £150,000 clause in his contract, which may prove to be a huge obstacle that puts him out of the equation.

The others on the 'list' simply don't impress me at all, but it's indicative of the fact Stan left the club without a successor firmly in the frame.

It is looking more and more like his contract was not renewed following a spur of the moment decision by chairman Barry Kilby.

Now he faces a massive decision - and he needs to make it pretty sharpish!

Next week, the marketplace is about to be flooded with footballers, including a tidal wave from the Premiership: players who are not quite good enough to cut the mustard at the very top.

If Burnley have any ambition they need to be shopping along with the rest of their First Division rivals, or any advantage the great name of Burnley Football Club carries will be lost.

And it's why the appointment really needs to be a man with an in-depth knowledge of managing at this level.

You are not going to get that with a rookie on an ego trip.

Despite the financial problems, the Clarets are still likely to be offering upwards of £2,000 per week to players - and in this era that represents a decent salary for any footballer.

Spiralling wages, have unquestionably wrecked the modern game and caused players to lose their hunger, but right now Burnley cannot afford to miss the boat and start going backwards.

That can only lead to a poorer standard of football, falling season ticket sales and a return to the dark days long before Stan Ternent first pulled up outside Turf Moor.

We await the next man with baited breath.