BURNLEY chairman Frank Teasdale today gave his full support to under-fire Clarets boss Jimmy Mullen and told him: "You have our complete backing."

In a remarkably forthright and revealing interview, the Burnley chairman opened his heart to the Lancashire Evening Telegraph.

And in his first major interview since last February, he speaks about:

His plans for the club

The Turf Moor ground redevelopment scheme

The controversial Radio Lancashire phone-in

The recent criticism of the board and manager Jimmy Mullen.

And he says about the Clarets boss: "My attitude towards Jimmy Mullen is quite clear.

"I have to give him my full support. I think he deserves my support."

The chairman admits that relegation from the First Division was a "disaster". But he underlines his loyalty to the management team and reveals the Burnley board had never voted on manager Mullen's future.

"It is easy to forget what Jimmy and the players have achieved. It is our duty to back them up," he added.

Mr Teasdale also revealed that the board are working on ways of keeping the cost of admission down when the the new Longside and Bee Hole End Stands are opened in the near future.

He added: "I can understand their concerns. But I can assure the fans that they will get the best possible deal we can give to them."

He also says he will not consider quitting as chairman until he completes his work at Turf Moor, adding: "Obviously there is a time in life when everybody steps down. But most of all I want to feel that I've done my bit and to leave Burnley in a stronger position than we are now."

Mr Teasdale said he was concerned over the recent slump in home attendances, but added: "We have to believe there is light at the end of the tunnel. I believe there is. I feel this is going to come right."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.