BURNLEY have confirmed that the board of directors is to expand further, with Burnley-born Terry Crabb to be added to the boardroom.

Crabb, who has been a lifelong fan since watching his first game at Turf Moor in the mid-1950s, became an associate director last June and, like fellow new director Brian Nelson, helped to facilitate the ground buy-back.

The 65-year-old, who becomes the sixth member of the new-look board, owned Dorset Cereals until 2008.

He said: “This is a wonderful opportunity.

“You never think that this kind of thing is going to happen, but how can you refuse?

“When the opportunity arose, I felt I had to get involved and one of the most important things for me joining the board is that this is a proper club.

“All the directors are local and lifelong supporters, which I just think is fantastic. The way this club is run is within its means and that matters a great deal to me and something I dearly wish to be a part of and contribute to.”

Crabb, who is married with two grown-up children, will take up his new role as soon as his appointment has been ratified by the Football League.

Burnley co-chairman John Banaszkiewicz said: "We are delighted to welcome Terry to the board.

“He is the ideal combination for the club; a lifelong Burnley fan and a businessman who can bring some creative ideas to our work.

“While our on-pitch form this season has been fantastic, we have been working just as hard off the pitch, strengthening the board and setting up an advisory group to gather new ideas and suggestions to help the club move forward.

“Burnley today is a club run by real fans. We are ambitious and forward thinking and the addition of Terry’s skill-set will help us deliver on our plans as we expand the club and the brand.”