THE prospect of facing the club where he first cut his managerial teeth has left Stan Ternent a happy man who is hoping to have more success in knockout competitions this season.

Blackpool will be the visitors to Turf Moor in the first round of the Worthington Cup on September 10 and Ternent said: "That is a good draw for us, a Lancashire derby that should attract a big crowd and maybe even be televised.

"Blackpool was my first club and of course Sam Ellis had a few years there so it is a good draw for both of us."

Ternent succeeded his managerial mentor Bob Stokoe as boss at Bloomfield Road in 1979 but was only in charge until the following year.

In contrast his assistant Ellis had a long spell in charge of the Tangerines replacing Allan Brown in 1982 and staying by the seaside for seven years, the highlight seeing promotion from the old Division Four in 1985.

"The main thing you want is a home draw so we have got to be pleased," said Ternent. "In the current financial climate it is important for us to do well in both the Worthington and FA Cups."

That is something the Clarets failed to do last year as they crashed out of the Worthington Cup with a 3-2 defeat by League newcomers Rushden and Diamonds in the first round at Turf Moor with a performance that left Ternent fuming.

He was no happier back in January when they were beaten 2-1 by Cheltenham at Whaddon Road in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

"From a revenue point of view it is vital that we do well. I suppose it is possible we could win either one but the main thing is that we have got to have a good run. If you can do that then you might get a draw against a big club like Manchester United.

"We have drawn Blackpool and that is a tie we will be expected to win but they are a decent side and I am expecting a decent game of football."

The draw brought a wry smile to former Claret Lennie Johnrose as he has been training with Blackpool a couple of times recently as he continues his search for a new club.

"The main thing is that I am keeping fit in the hope of getting fixed up with a club but whether it will be Blackpool I don't know," he explained. "But I would love the chance to come back and play at Turf Moor and it is incredible how these things come around.

"But I don't know what will happen because it has been an amazing summer with absolutely nothing happening and a lot of players looking for clubs.

"All I know is that this is the fittest I have felt in pre-season for a long time and so hopefully the clubs will get some money from ITV Digital and then managers will be able to add to their squads."

And if Steve McMahon does sign the midfielder he will certainly relish the chance to have an early trip back to Burnley.