TOWN signing Frank Sinclair admitted today he's delighted to be continuing his career in the north.

The 35-year-old defender had rarely played outside of English football's top flight when he was asked to become one of Steve Cotterill's first Burnley signings in the summer of 2004.

Turf Moor was the northern-most outpost for the Lambeth-born ex-Chelsea, Leicester and Jamaican international but he settled well and he's now aiming to make the most of what he hopes will be an injury-free year under Andy Ritchie at the Galpharm.

"It was very fresh for me going to Burnley with the new manager. I didn't know what it would be like," said Sinclair, who was released by Burnley last week after spending the latter part of the season on loan to Town.

"It was a whole life-change for me leaving my family. It's a long way from home and I don't think too many managers, with me just leaving a club like Leicester, could have convinced me to go there.

"I knew Steve Cotterill from Leicester and knew what sort of character he was and how determined he was to do well at Burnley.

"He is a winner and I'm sure he is going to be successful there sooner or later.

"I knew the way he likes to play football and I know the way he is determined as a person and I'm a similar type of character."

The 35-year-old World Cup player (1998 in France) added: "I originally went for a year and never thought it would be any longer until I got there (Turf Moor) and realised how much I enjoyed my football.

"I think I did myself justice and got on well with the supporters.

"I think they appreciate anyone who they can see always gives 100 per cent for them, and that's what I've tried to do wherever I've been. That's just me and I think supporters recognise that.

"I thoroughly enjoyed my time there and I've no regrets.

"I wish we could have done a bit better and been a bit more successful but the club have shown potential.

"We started very well in the season just gone but fell away from it and injuries didn't help.

"I missed a lot of the season - injuries kept bugging me and not going away, which I think had a lot to do with the outcome.

"Players had to come in and do jobs.

"It was very promising the way we started though, it's a shame we couldn't keep it going. But the manager will have new players in and be ready for next season.

"And I'll be back to watch the boys when I get the chance. I've made some good friends at the club."

Sinclair played in claret and blue for one last time in Graham Branch's testimonial match on Bank Holiday Monday.

"I enjoyed playing in the testimonial because it was a good chance for me to say goodbye to the supporters who were there," he said.

"When I left it happened so quickly so it was good to go back, and I will still keep in touch with the manager and the backroom staff."