NEVER has the term 'friendly' had more meaning than Steve Cotterill's return to Cheltenham.

Just under 2,000 fans turned out to salute the Clarets boss at Whaddon Road, the compact stadium where an amazing managerial adventure began eight short years ago.

Everywhere the former Robins' boss stepped either side of a gentle curtain raiser, a posse of well-wishers shadowed him, grabbing an autograph here, a picture there and a precious chat wherever possible.

And the several hundred fans who made the journey from Burnley also travelled home content after seeing Cotterill's new-look Clarets get off to a confident start following a second summer reshuffle.

Make no mistake, this is his team now; the first time since taking charge that Cotterill has been able to field a starting 11 made up entirely of his own signings.

The transformation is startling. And one thing instantly catches the eye; Burnley will stand tall in a fiercely competitive Championship ... very tall!

The defence now resembles the New York skyline following the addition of strapping six-footer Wayne Thomas, who slotted into central defence to strike up an instant relationship with John McGreal, a giant of last season.

Michael Duff, made captain for the day at his former club in a thoughtful gesture, added more height at right back while on the left Frank Sinclair may lack inches, but more than makes up for that in wholehearted commitment - quickly becoming the pantomime villain following a series of crunching challenges that left Cotterill joking: "We've asked Cheltenham if they want him on loan next season!"

Yet if the defence appears beefier, it is in attack where Burnley now look a much more meaty and menacing proposition.

Ade Akinbiyi and Gifton Noel-Williams could be mistaken for couple of nightclub bouncers, such is their sheer presence.

At times, it also needs a double-take to tell the dreadlocked duo apart. But one glance is all it needs to confirm the former Stoke City strike pairing are on the same wavelength - a sure-fire recipe that goals will flow.

Indeed, Noel-Williams could, and probably should, have been celebrating a two-goal debut following a glaring first half miss and a smart save in the second half by Town keeper Scott Brown.

It seemed harder not to score when Wade Elliott - a workhorse of a winger who showed a refreshing willingness to back-track - swung over a delicious 39th minute cross from the right.

Noel-Williams found himself unmarked three yards out, but amazingly fired over a gaping goal when he would have scored 99 times out of 100.

Seconds later, fellow new boy Garreth O'Connor showed fans a glimpse of the talent that brought a career-best 14 goals for Bournemouth next season.

Shimmying past two Town players he made room for a low, right-foot drive from 25 yards that forced a terrific full-length save from Brown.

At the opposite end, Brian Jensen replaced the underworked Danny Coyne at the break, but it was still Burnley who continued to carve out the better chances.

Thomas toe-poked a half-cleared corner back into the danger area and Noel-Williams alertness was only matched By Brown, who saved smartly with his legs to prevent a certain goal.

The effortlessly impressive Micah Hyde then came within a whisker of repeating his famous FA Cup goal against Blackburn Rovers last season, swivelling to rattle the crossbar with a dipping volley from the corner of the area.

Finally though, the heat began to take its understandable toll and a series of substitutions halted the flow.

However, it did give Burnley fans a tantalising glimpse of the versatile Danny Karbassiyoon, who takes corners from either side with both feet and glides across the surface with the swagger of someone signed by Arsenal.

There was also time to hand welcome debuts to Irish youngsters Kyle Lafferty and Chris McCann, both second year apprentices who impressed last season at youth and reserve team level.The future looks bright. The present is promising.

BURNLEY: Danny Coyne (Brian Jensen 45), Michael Duff, Wayne Thomas, John McGreal, Frank Sinclair (Kyle Lafferty 87), Wade Elliott (Chris McCann 87), Micah Hyde, James O'Connor, Garreth O'Connor (Graham Branch 74), Ade Akinbiyi, Gifton Noel-Williams (Danny Karbassiyoon 66).