BURNLEY have confirmed the appointment of North-East born Brian Laws as their new manager this afternoon.

The former Sheffield Wednesday boss, born in Wallsend, became the clear favourite for the position following Doncaster's announcement this morning that their manager Sean ODriscoll, the other front-runner, would be staying in South Yorkshire.

Burnley, who have been looking for a new manager since Owen Coyle left for Bolton last week, have called a press conference to unveil their new man this afternoon.

BRIAN LAWS FACTFILE

1961: Born October 14, in Wallsend.

1979: Begins professional career at Burnley after coming through as an apprentice.

1983: Moves to Huddersfield.

1985: Joins Middlesbrough.

1988: Joins First Division Nottingham Forest for 120,000 after winning two promotions with Boro.

1989: Wins League Cup with Forest.

1990: Wins League Cup for second time.

1993: Forest relegated from Premier League.

1994: Moves to Grimsby as player-manager.

1996: February - Involved in controversy after angrily throwing a plate of chicken wings at Mariners player Ivano Bonetti.

November - Sacked by Grimsby but continues playing in short spell at Darlington.

1997: Takes charge at Scunthorpe.

1999: Wins promotion to old Division Two via play-offs.

2000: Scunthorpe relegated back to Division Three.

2004: Sacked amid a power struggle at Glanford Park but reinstated three weeks later.

2005: Wins promotion to League One.

2006: November - Appointed Sheffield Wednesday manager.

2008: Wednesday finish 12th in Championship.

2009: December - Sacked by Wednesday with team in Championship relegation zone after poor run of form.

2010: January 13 - Appointed Burnley manager on two-and-a-half-year contract.