MICHAEL Duff thanked Burnley fans for supporting his testimonial, and hopes it is not his Clarets swansong.

The long-serving defender was backed by a crowd of almost 5,000 as Burnley rounded off their pre-season programme with a 2-0 win over Bradford City.

Duff was grateful for the turn-out, and was typically delighted with the clean sheet.

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“I just didn’t want to have a nightmare and give a load of goals away and lose the game, so to keep a clean sheet and win the game… I thought it was a decent performance,” he said.

“Bradford aren’t a bad team and there were a couple of new signings on show as well, so it was a good day all round.

“I’ve got all my family here and I’m sure they enjoyed it and I did as well.

“It was a good turnout, from the Bradford fans as well. I appreciated everyone coming down.

“The weather was typical Burnley weather. If you pick August 1 to get married you’re probably better with January 31!

“But it’s hard-earned money that they’re spending and the players do appreciate it when they turn out in their numbers come wind, rain or not-so-much shine.”

Duff, who took to the microphone to address supporters straight after the game, added: “The little bit afterwards was nice, to be able to say a few words and to get a nice reception, so I’ll reflect on things like that.

“But I’ve got things to prove and I’ve still got ambitions.

“Hopefully it wasn’t my farewell game never to be seen in a Burnley shirt again, otherwise I won’t enjoy it so much when I reflect on it.

“But hopefully I’ve proved in pre-season with the physical demands the manager imposes on the squad that I wouldn’t be here if I couldn’t keep up with those sorts of sides of it, and they’re the things that get labelled at people my age. ‘Have his legs gone?’ is the constant term that you would usually hear.

“But the physical data you get now proves things like that. I’m still motivated and I still want to play.”

Most players who are awarded a testimonial are allowed a goodwill goal, but Duff said he was more interested in his defensive duties, and would not have taken a token penalty if the opportunity had arisen.

“Someone said to me before the game ‘If you get a penalty will you take it?’ and I said no, because I wouldn’t take one in a game. It was a proper game.

“I was bullied into that one (at Chelsea in the Capital One Cup). I’ve never taken one since.

“I was sincere when I said I was glad it was a proper game and not about me so much, it was more preparing for the season.”

But Duff, who went off late on, said he was grateful for the standing ovation he received.

“Woany (assistant manager Ian Woan) pulled me a minute before and said ‘You’re coming off’, so I was delighted because I was getting tired anyway.

“ It was good to get a nice reception. Normally when you get subbed it’s because you’ve had a nightmare. It was nice.”