A CLARETS fan always knew his team was on the road to success - and has the registration plates to prove it.

Keith Burton now has the plates UP 09 BFC and UP 14 BFC on two of his cars, in honour of the Clarets’ two most recent promotion-winn-ing sides.

The 57-year-old, who grew up in the town but now lives in Harrog-ate, has now offered to sell the plates to Clarets chief executive Lee Hoos, to be used by the club, or the directors. Keith said: “You have to buy the plates in late January, or early February each year, so it is a bit of a leap of faith to get them.

“In 2009, things had just started coming good, but we were far from sure of promotion, although this year we were looking good at that time.

“I had to get both plates at auc-tion. In 2009 it was easy, but there was a bit more competition this year.

“People have seen me driving out of Turf Moor with the 09 plate and people are always tapping on the window, so I think a few people had the same idea this time around.”

Keith, who has been a season ticket holder for 50 years, also has a number plate on a third car that spells out ‘CLARETS’ to people looking in their rear-view mirror.

He said: “When we had four child-ren living at home we needed the cars, but that’s not the case any more, so we will be getting rid of one or two of them.

“I think it would be nice for them to remain as a pair, so on Monday I left a note for Lee Hoos about them.

“He’s e-mailed me back to say thanks for bringing it up and he will mention it to the board.”