STEVE Cotterill has issued a rallying call to Burnley supporters - insisting they can act as a 12th man at Turf Moor.

During the club's annual general meeting last night, the Clarets boss said he would love to see Burnley attract 20,000 gates at every home match.

In a passionate plea to shareholders, Cotterill encouraged everyone associated with the club to 'move in the same direction' to take the Clarets forward.

He added that bigger attendances at Turf Moor can influence referees in Burnley's favour and prove the difference between victory and defeat.

"The only way this club will ever go forward is if everybody moves in the same direction and pays no attention to any criticisms," said Cotterill.

"We are all going to make mistakes. Really, what we need here is a ground full of people.

"The noise we generate when we are up for it, when there's 11,000 there, is unbelievable.

"If we have 20,000 people in here, we would have beaten Colchester rather than slip up that day, and beaten Southend because you lot would have influenced the referee.

"It was exactly the same what happened to us at Cardiff and West Brom. It happens at all the big-hitters we go to because the referee panics and gives them decisions."

Cotterill added: "I had a chat with Keith Hackett (Premier League referee's chief) this week about referees.

"Whenever we have a referee here (at Turf Moor), I tend to think it goes the other way. Why is that?

"I said to Keith, 'What do you tell the referees that come here?' "He said we send them to Burnley because it's a tough place to referee, with a big pitch and intimidating atmosphere.

"So before anyone walks through the door, they know they have got to stand up to the Burnley crowd. We have not had a penalty this season.

"If we had 20,000 here on Saturday, the game will be easier for the boys than what it would be, because you will give them an extra man. That's the bottom line."

Cotterill reflected back to Burnley's packed-out FA Cup clash against rivals Blackburn two seasons ago, adding he would like to see more of the same.

He said: "I remember what it was like against Blackburn. We need 23 Blackburn's, because you can make a difference.

"There's no point saying these guys (Burnley's directors) can make a difference.

"If there was a £1m available, I know who I would go and sign.

"But I would take 20,000 here every week and the same squad.

"Maybe if we did have more fans, then there isn't so much need for the chairman and directors to really dig in their pockets.

"I really don't know how we get to that, because it frustrates the life out of me.

"But in the next breath, we shouldn't always be down.

"We always seem to be down on things."

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