Mention Glentoran to any Burnley fan and the immediate link is Jimmy McIlroy. The inside-forward was a hero in the 50's and 60's, helping Burnley to the League Championship and an F.A. Cup Final. He began his career in the Northern Ireland town and is regarded as the greatest player ever to wear a claret and blue shirt. Despite this year's good showing in Division Two, Burnley's stock might have fallen somewhat since Mcllroy's glory days, but now there is a more recent connection with Glentoran who's also making a big impact at Turf Moor.

Winger Glen Little signed for Second Division Burnley three years ago for �100,000 from the Ulster side. The lanky 24-year-old admits he's a character off the pitch: "I'm a bit of a joker, I like to muck about," he laughs. But there's definitely been no 'mucking about' on the pitch. "He's a good dribbler, very skilful and can make something out of nothing," says a member of Burnley's backroom staff. Some commentators see him as a Second Division Matt Le Tissier, same stooping gait, same ability to turn a game in the blink of an eye, and as with Le God, the home crowd love him for it.

"Ever since I've been at Turf Moor the fans have taken to me. I guess its just luck," he says modestly. "I've known players who are booed when their names are announced and they've eventually moved. I'm cheered and I'm still here!" For how much longer though? Glen's right wing tricks have caught the eye of several scouts. Last season, Port Vale offered �1m for him and recently he's been linked with Sunderland. "It's flattering," Little concedes. "Being a �1 million player is a milestone in your football career. It's something to tell your grandchildren. But with Port Vale I was told there was a bid, it was turned down and that was that. John Rudge, the then Vale manager, is well-respected, likes playing with wingers and is known for bringing players through, like Steve Guppy. But John left soon after, so maybe it's for the best that I didn't go."

Glen might be in demand now, but it hasn't all been plain sailing. Born in Wimbledon, he started out as a schoolboy down the road at Crystal Palace but was released at 18. "I never expected that," he admits. "I was a local lad and part of the furniture, but sometimes I couldn't even get in the reserves." His next move was a bit of a culture shock � from SE25 to Glentoran. "I suddenly went from having everything handed to me on a plate to a bit of a slog in non-league football." That change was made easier by the fact that Glen soon became a crowd favourite, especially after scoring the winner that beat Glenavon in the Irish Cup. "Yeah they liked me after that," he laughs.

He'd just started his second season in Northern Ireland when, in November 1996, his manager Tommy Cassidy, himself a former Clarets player, informed Glen that Burnley's Adrian Heath was interested. "Tommy told me to go and have a look. When I saw Turf Moor and the facilities I knew I'd fit in. The �100,000 fee was an Irish League record but it didn't bother me. I don't know if the Burnley fans thought it was a lot to pay at the time but I hope they think it's money well spent now."

Readjusting to English football took some time: "One minute I was playing in a small ground against Crusaders and the next I was at Anfield for the final 20 minutes against Liverpool in the Cup." As Little began to find his feet, the unsettling merry-go-round at Turf Moor took its toll as Adrian Heath resigned. "I'll always think of Adrian Heath with affection, as he gave me a chance back in league football."

Next in was Chris Waddle and the lowest point in Glen's career so far. "Chris came in, brought in his own players and left a few of us out in the cold. We were near the bottom at Christmas and he realised he needed us. It was a strange season, 1997/8, as I only played half the games but won the Player of the Year award. In the end I enjoyed playing for Chris and was sorry to see him go." Waddle was replaced by current manager Stan Ternent and this time Glen wasn't frozen out. "Stan immediately offered me a three-year deal so I knew I wasn't going to be out the door a month later. At Burnley I've seen three managers and it has been tough. I'd got used to relegation battles but this season we've got stability, we're at the right end of the table."

However, Glen does feel his future could lie elsewhere. "I think my long-term plan is to move back down south. I do miss my family and friends and my girlfriend has just had a baby boy. But with football you never know what's round the corner. One Saturday I was playing for Glentoran, the next for Burnley. I love it at Burnley and just want to do my best for them."

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