TOM Heaton says the response from the town towards the team in their promotion season has been overwhelming, and he hopes even more turn out in the top flight.

An estimated 20,000 lined the streets to cheer Burnley’s players, staff and board back during Sunday’s open top bus parade.

Heaton admitted the swell of supporters took him and his team-mates aback when they went onto the Town Hall balcony to greet them, and then made their way through the masses on an open top bus to Turf Moor.

And he hopes that they can continue to show similar backing next season.

“Obviously you have an expectation that it’s going to be a great day – it’s a big achievement for the club and the town.

“But I have to say the feeling of everyone coming out and showing the passion, the pride of what we’ve done and what it means to everyone was incredible,” said the Clarets goalkeeper.

“It really was quite moving and great to be involved in.

“It was special seeing everyone outside the Town Hall, and then the crowds following the bus around – especially on Harry Potts Way.

“I think that for me was the highlight. When we got to the end and you looked forward and you couldn’t see any road, and you looked behind and you couldn’t see any road.

“It’s just unbelievable really. Very, very special. Lads that you wouldn’t usually expect to say anything about it, it was just an emotional day for all the right reasons.

“It was absolutely superb, I can’t speak highly enough of it. It was a fitting end to a successful season.”

Heaton admitted the celebrations served to reinforce what the team have achieved this season.

“I think the day put it into a nutshell about how much it meant.

“We knew this season with the support we’ve had home and away, especially as things started to go well from the start of the season, that people like what they’re seeing on the pitch,” he said.

“The message I get is that it’s not just about the results, it’s more about how we go about it and people can get behind that and relate to a team in which individuals are giving everything and that team ethos.

“You started to see that with the support.

“I certainly can’t speak highly enough of the support home and away this year. Sunday’s parade was that in a nutshell.

“There’s no better way of seeing it than that show of support on Sunday when everyone was taking to the streets and cheering and clapping, it was brilliant. And hopefully they’ll be with us for the journey next season. That support will help us.”

Heaton admitted that he is already looking forward to the fixtures being released in June, and as an Old Trafford graduate there is on game he is looking forward to the most.

“Manchester United away next year is the one I’ll be looking out for first,” he said.