Clarets face £2m bill if promoted after vow to refund season tickets

Winning promotion in Monday's Championship play-off final against Sheffield United at Wembley will prove costly to Burnley as they will be forced to refund their 7,000 season-ticket holders for the entire year.

With Premier League neighbours Bolton and Blackburn Rovers offering discounted season tickets last summer, the Clarets sought to increase sales by promising a full refund if they won promotion. It will prove expensive as, despite good runs in both the FA Cup and Carling Cup this season, Burnley are on course to lose £4m this year and the gesture will cost £2m.

Nevertheless it can be placed against the £60m they will expect to earn by beating the Blades and returning to the top flight for the first time in 33 years.

"I thought we could do it if we got into the Premier League," chairman Barry Kilby said. "All of these people have stood with us through thick and think. It would be just a case of them sharing our success."