THE Burnley board are considering putting their planned share issue to the annual general meeting.

An extraordinary general meeting, needed for shareholders to vote on a share issue, is expected to be combined with the AGM.

That is usually held over the Christmas period, with 21 days' notice required.

Such a delay would frustrate both Ray Ingleby and Burnley supporters, who are keen to see an immediate injection of cash through a share issue.

Ingleby is keen to know whether there is a firm chance of securing seats on the Clarets board should he take part in a rights issue.

And so there is a strong chance that the date for the AGM will be brought forward, possibly before the end of November.

Former Burnley number two John Ward has walked out on First Division strugglers Bristol City after a difference of opinion over the club's new director of coaching. Ward, who had been in charge at Ashton Gate for 18 months after quitting Turf Moor, left after a meeting when City agreed to release him from his contract.

City are expected to announce their new director of coaching today, and chairman Scott Davidson insists the new man is "one of the leading coaches in Europe."

Swedish veteran Benny Lennartsson is favourite for the post, but Davidson has refused to confirm his appointment.

A statement from City said: "The club wishes to place on record its sincere thanks and appreciation for his (Ward's) work here over the past 18 months.

"John was brought to Ashton Gate to win promotion to the First Division - he achieved that a year inside schedule and for that he should be congratulated.

"Unfortunately, following discussions today over the new director of coaching, John Ward decided he did not wish to continue with the new coaching structure at Ashton Gate." Davidson said he was sorry to see Ward go, but added that there had been no indication that the manager felt so strongly about the new appointment until yesterday.

"We've talked about it and it ended this evening with us agreeing that John was being compromised," said Davidson.

"I and the board are doing what we think is right for Bristol City Football Club and that will continue to be the case."

On the subject of the new man, who is said to already be in Bristol awaiting his unveiling at a press conference, Davidson said: "I can confirm that before the end of the week one of the leading coaches in Europe will be appointed as Director of Football at Bristol City - somebody with not only experience of European football at Premier League level but also experience in an international environment and World Cup duty.

"I am disappointed though that in our desire to see us progress, that John Ward has left."

Burnley boss Stan Ternent is keen to see tonight's reserve game at home to Grimsby go ahead, despite the weather, in order to give returning defenders Chris Brass and Steve Morgan a run-out.

Assistant Sam Ellis said: "There would have to be a pretty good reason for us not to play."

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