BURNLEY are steeling themselves for a drop of up to 3,000 in season ticket sales.

The Clarets' ticket office have so far shifted 7,600 tickets for next season - over four thousand less than this time last summer, when they had missed out on the First Division play-offs by the narrowest of margins.

In contrast, last season fizzled out in disappointment and Turf Moor Ticket Office manager Graham Raven now expects a maximum of 9,000 tickets to be snapped up in time for the big kick off in August.

And that would be a massive blow to boss Stan Ternent, who is dependent on that income to generate funds for the massive task of rebuilding his side this summer.

Raven revealed: "The current figure is well down on last year, but to be honest that is what we expected.

"There was a dramatic fall off in attendances towards the end of last season, with between two and three thousand non-attending season ticket holders.

"That is a massive number and a little bit crazy to understand since people had already paid for their seats.

"But from that, we knew the numbers would be down this summer and that's what has happened."

Raven, who still expects a steady flow of fans to renew their tickets over the summer shutdown, added: "We usually sell between 1,000 and 1,500 between the discount cut-off point and the start of the new season.

"So I would estimate us finally peaking around the 9,000 mark, with matchday figures hopefully being boosted by an increase in fans paying on the day."

Meanwhile, Chairman Barry Kilby is trying to top up the Clarets' dwindling coffers with a third pre-season friendly at Turf Moor against top-class opposition.

Stan Ternent's revamped side are already set to shoot back from the upcoming Isle of Man Football Festival to host close friend Peter Reid's Leeds United on Sunday 27 July.

The following Saturday (2 August), Steve Bruce brings his Birmingham side north for a game just seven days before the 2003/2004 Football League season gets underway.

However, Clarets' chiefs are pulling out all the stops to bridge the gap between the two games with another high profile midweek fixture.

Kilby said: "We are keen to get as many games in as we can so that any new players can bed in.

"The two games we have organised will already provide stiff opposition and we are now in the process of securing a third game."