MARC Pugh insisted his release from boyhood club Burnley had given him the “kick up the backside” to progress his career.

Born in nearby Bacup, winger Pugh was raised a Burnley supporter and was a Turf Moor trainee before being released by then boss Steve Cotterill as a 19-year-old.

He went on to play for the likes of Bury, Shrewsbury and Hereford before joining Cherries in 2010.

Pugh could tomorrow come up against his former club in the Premier League (3pm).

Asked about his time as an apprentice with the Clarets, the Lancastrian told the Daily Echo: “I loved it. All my family are there and I have family and friends who are Burnley fans. It’s got good memories.

“I started on the right wing (in the youth team) and then played up front when I was 18. I think I scored something like 27 goals in 16 games and then got released on the back of that!

“I learned my trade there and, at the time, it was disappointing to be released and told I wasn’t good enough as a kid.

“But it gave me the kick up the backside I needed to go out in the lower leagues and try to express myself.

“To be told you were not good enough was hard to take but everything you earn you have to work for. I will keep doing that until I retire.”