POTENTIAL backers are waiting in the wings for the prospect of buying into Burnley Football Club.

And that spells good news for the Clarets as the club bids to sell out its share issue and raise £5.7 million for a financial re-structuring and team strengthening.

Recently appointed chairman and major shareholder Barry Kilby confirmed that he has spoken with would-be backers who have expressed an interest in buying shares in Burnley.

And they will be permitted to purchase a stake in the Turf Moor club if the existing shareholders do not take up their full entitlement by January 26 and the board agrees to allot shares to other interested parties.

"We do have the right to offer shares to non-shareholders and I have a few business contacts and people who have contacted me who would be interested," said Kilby, who added that "several business people around the town" are among those to declare an interest.

Further outside investment would be particularly important if Ray Ingleby does not take up his full allocation of extra shares under the rights issue.

The America-based businessman, who currently holds 3,486 shares, is entitled to buy further shares under the two-for-one issue amounting to £1.4 million which would earn him a seat on the board.

But despite publicly backing the issue and the new chairman, Ingleby is yet to indicate whether he is willing or able to come up with the cash. And he may seek a compromise figure if he is still keen to gain a place in the boardroom.

Kilby, who has had further talks with Ingleby within the last 48 hours, said: "He is still considering how much or what to put in. He is talking to his associates and trying to put a package together and promised to come back to me."

Kilby said he has a certain figure in his head that he would consider a satisfactory investment from Ingleby to gain a board seat.

But the chairman hopes that Ingleby will come on board with his full allocation to further strengthen the club's hand and not leave a major shortfall to be made up.

"I sincerely hope he does. We need to get in as much as possible to get towards that £5 million," added Kilby, who has committed £3 million to the restructuring package.

"I will wait and see what he (Ingleby) comes back with. I would be delighted if he took his full allocation and then I would be confident of hitting the full figure."

Other investors - including board members - would still probably get the chance to buy other unsold shares to further enhance the success of the scheme. "You don't have to be a genius to know the more we get in the more there is to spend and to run the club," Kilby added.

Barnsley manager John Hendrie today denied a speculative story that he was about to make a bid for Burnley striker Andy Cooke.

And Turf Moor boss Stan Ternent said: "I know nothing about it. I suppose it's flattering for the player but I can't comment on something that is simply speculation."

Hendrie has looked at a number of strikers in the lower divisions, as he searches for a replacement for Ashley Ward, who joined Blackburn Rovers last week.

He took in a recent Burnley game but he said today: "I have looked at him but there is no move for him.

"There is no move imminent for anybody at the moment. We are still looking."

Lee Howey has had his loan to Northampton extended into a third month.

The Boundary Clarets have confirmed travel arrangements for Saturday's trip to Bristol Rovers.

Pick up points are Duke Bar at 8.30am, Turf Moor at 8.40, and Padiham at 8.50 and the cost is £12 for members and concessions and £14 for non-members. Call 01282 832100 (daytime) or 01282 705425 (evenings) for further information.

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