Turf Beat

THE award of 11 player of the season awards to Clarets full-back Dean West could give him a DIY headache this summer.

West and his wife Samantha have a lively 17-month-old son Charlie who, as most children that age, is now into everything.

"I don't know where we are going to put them all," smiled Samantha as her husband signed endless autographs and starred in almost as many photos.

"I think we will have to put up a very big picture rail or get a child proof display cabinet."

Either way it is likely that West will have to get the tool kit out in the next couple of weeks, not to mention the polish.

AT least one Burnley fan returned from Grimsby with something to smile about.

Gary Crossley, from Reigate, paid £158 for the Football League's Centenary painting which shows Jimmy Robson gearing up to score the Clarets goal in the 3-1 FA Cup final defeat against Spurs at Wembley in 1962.

Gary, who travels all over to watch Burnley, saw that Grimsby were auctioning to off the picture on the club web-site.

"I saw the picture at Southend, the last time Burnley played there and liked it," said the avid Burnley fan.

"When I knew it was available I wanted it - and who knows it might be a good investment."

DESPITE the woeful numbers of away fans to visit Turf Moor this season the club has recorded a rise in the average attendance for the season.

Last year, on its return to the first division, the average attendance was 16,234. That figure has risen to 16,647 leaving the Clarets in the middle of the table as far as the first division is concerned.

Only the travelling fans of Wolves, Manchester City and West Bromwich Albion emerged with much credit, the biggest gate coming against Dave Jones' side in the match that was Paul Gascoigne's home debut.

RICHARD Baker is calling on Clarets fans to help him track down a former school friend who is a loyal Burnley supporter.

Richard went to the British School of Brussels in the 1970s where he was friends with Roy Pemberton who was claret and blue through and through.

He made his appeal to fans in the final matchday programme of the season and anyone who can help him is asked to call him on 0207 737 4731.