Burnley Chairman hopes patience pays off

SPARTAN APPROACH: John Banaszkiewicz (left), pictured with fellow joint-chairman Mike Garlick

And Clarets joint-chairman John Banaszkiewicz hopes a Spartan approach will serve Burnley well.

While sections of the support have bemoaned a lack of incomings so far this summer, certainly as regards outfield players, Banaszkiewicz feels the club’s patience will pay off.

Manager Sean Dyche has so far landed four goalkeepers - Tom Heaton, Alex Cisak, Nick Liversedge and Daniel Nizic.

But the departures of Chris McCann and Martin Paterson mean an already stretched squad is looking more threadbare before the first pre-season outing at Morecambe on Tuesday night.

Banaszkiewicz explains that there are finances available for players, with signings not dependent on the sale of crown jewel Charlie Austin as with Hull City continue to court the striker who fired 28 goals last season.

And the completed ground buyback also increases Burnley’s hand in the transfer market.

He said: “I have a saying, like the Spartans, that we may not have many, but we want to be the best.

“We have to be clever in the transfer market. We have been planning ahead and are in the market, trying to strengthen the squad.

“We have invested in more scouts, but we have to be patient and wait for the right players. It’s important we get players with the pride and passion to play for the club.

“There is money available to strengthen in key areas, especially after the recent departure of players.”

Burnley are one of the clubs who have prudently prepared for the onset of Financial Fair Play, and Banaszkiewicz feels that will be an advantage over time: “The transfer market domestically has quietened down over the last few years for a number of reasons, and with FFP coming into effect, some clubs are going into reverse gear. We want to be in the right gear, going forward, while cutting our cloth accordingly.

“It’s a challenge, but we want to get back in the Premier League - that’s our ambition. We want to be back in the Premier League, playing for the glory and riches that are available.

“But we don’t want a spectacular crash like a Portsmouth or Rangers.