"It was the funniest season that I've ever had in a dressing room," says Luke Chadwick, ahead of Burnley's FA Cup tie against MK Dons

Luke Chadwick can't contain the laughter when recollecting some of the moments that illuminated his loan spell at Turf Moor.

The former Burnley winger, who made the temporary switch from Manchester United during the 2003/04 campaign, has fond memories of his time working under Stan Ternent.

But it's fair to say that his stint at the club was more memorable for the off-the-field antics than it was for his experiences on the pitch.

"It was a thoroughly enjoyable and entertaining season, that's for sure," said Chadwick, who played 246 times for this weekend's opponents MK Dons.

"It was the funniest season that I've ever had in a dressing room, it was full of incredible characters with the likes of Glen Little, Robbie Blake, Graham Branch, Tony Grant, the list was endless.

"It was a fantastic group of people. Stan Ternent was a wonderful man, Sam Ellis and Ronnie Jepson were fantastic people, old school, but it was enjoyable off the pitch.

"We struggled for a lot of the season on the pitch, but it was a season I'll never forget and one that I'll look back on really fondly."

The Clarets survived relegation by the skin of their teeth in Ternent's final season at the club.

The 77 goals conceded was the third worst in the entire Football League - with just Wimbledon and Notts County worse off.

Burnley had leaked four goals at West Brom, five against Preston North End at Deepdale and six against Ipswich Town at Portman Road by the halfway point.

The former Manchester United man said: "There were some hugely talented players in the squad that were capable of playing at a higher level, which Glen, Robbie and Chappy did.

"We were quite an expressive team that were really good going forward but left things a little bit open at the back. It was a talented squad that should have been higher up that league, but it was a slog at times."

After a run of just two wins in 13 games the Clarets headed out to Marbella in the hope that a change of scene would help turn the tide.

However, the blue skies of southern Spain didn't have the desired effect against the Sky Blues.

Two goals from Gary McSheffrey and another from Julian Joachim had Burnley trailing by three goals at the break in their following game away at Coventry City.

"I remember the mid-season trip to Marbella that didn't really go to plan," said Chadwick. "We came back and we were playing Coventry in our next game at Highfield Road.

"I think some of the lads had been out in the sun for too long in Marbella because we were 3-0 down at half-time and the gaffer wasn't happy!

"I think he was close to subbing off the goalkeeper [Brian Jensen] at half-time. It was an entertaining dressing room to be in, but it wasn't a great game.

"I remember Julian Joachim tore us apart in the first half. We certainly got our comeuppance from enjoying ourselves too much in Marbella."

In the end Burnley beat the drop by a couple of points, with wins over relegation rivals Derby County and Wimbledon proving decisive.

Chadwick added: "Stan took me under his wing, he was massive mates with Sir Alex, who always spoke so highly of him.

"He was a great character and when things were going right he was the best manager in the world to work under, but there were times when things weren't going too well and he'd tell you in no uncertain terms that it wasn't acceptable.

"He's a legend at the club, a legend in football, he was a great personality and it was a pleasure to have played under him.

"I would have liked to have done better for him in his last season at Burnley because being safe from relegation was the only real positive to take from it really."

The former England Under 21 international spent a large chunk of his playing days in Milton Keynes, where he played under Roberto Di Matteo, Paul Ince and Karl Robinson.

Chadwick netted 24 goals for the club after making the move from Norwich City and was crowned Player of the Season twice.

However, he's backing Sean Dyche's side to advance in the third round of the FA Cup tomorrow.

He said: "I fancy Burnley to get the result. MK Dons have got good players for the level they're at, but they're not Premier League standard.

"MK Dons are having a little bit of a struggle at the bottom end of League One at the moment, but they've got good players so I can't imagine Sean Dyche will allow his players to take it easy.

"MK Dons will make it as hard as possible, but I fancy Burnley to win it."