A 19-YEAR-OLD man has been arrested by police investigating the murder of a teenage soccer fan in Burnley town centre.

The move came as Clarets boss Stan Ternent and police appealed for fans and hooligans to come forward with information about the incident.

Nottingham Forest fan Nathan Shaw, 17, died yesterday after being struck on the head with a glass bottle during a clash between rival fans before the game with Burnley on Saturday.

The 19-year-old local man was arrested early today and taken to Burnley police station for questioning.

Burnley MP Peter Pike said he was shocked and horrified by the death and that the whole "mindless" culture of fans drinking too much before matches needed to be crushed.

Burnley manager Ternent said today: "All of our sympathies are with the family and friends of the young lad. To die like that aged 17 is horrendous. This town is full of decent, upstanding people and I hope that they will do all they can to help the police.

"This is nothing to do with football, it is a problem in society. We have worked hard as a club to build things up over the last few years.

"Then someone does something like this, it is dreadful."

Footage from CCTV cameras close to the scene, in St James Street, Burnley, will be looked at by police.

Detective Superintendent Paul Buschini, who is heading the investigation, said that police were pursuing some "firm" lines of enquiry, but appealed for fans and anybody involved in the disturbance to come forward with information.

Burnley FC backed the appeal and a police spokesman said today: "We are hoping the shock that the assault has now become a murder will prompt people who would not normally come forward to contact us." Nathan, from the Aspley area of Nottingham, was attacked after trouble broke out at 1pm between rival groups of fans who had been drinking before the Division One game, which Burnley won 1-0.

A large area outside Yates's Wine Lodge in Parker Lane and St James Street, where the Forest fans had been, was cordoned off as specialist police officers made a detailed forensic search of the scene.

A member of staff at Yates's confirmed those involved in the incident had been drinking in the bar beforehand.

She said the fight took place approximately 20 yards further down the street and said the bar had been shut since the incident.

Nathan was taken to Burnley General Hospital then transferred to Preston Royal Infirmary. His family is believed to have been told of his injuries by friends in Burnley. They made the journey from Nottingham to be at his bedside.

A post mortem examination was carried out yesterday by Home Office pathologists. Police gave the cause of death as a "blunt force head injury".

A massive police presence was instilled in the streets around Turf Moor to avoid any further trouble after the game.

Mr Pike, a Burnley FC supporter, said the culture of drinking and violence which led to the death must be ended.

He said: "I will certainly be asking the head of Burnley Police, Chief Superintendent John Knowles, to give me a full report on what happened and what action they believe should be taken to prevent anything like this happening again." A spokesman for Burnley FC said: "Burnley Football Club would like to express sincere sympathies to his family and friends, Nottingham Forest FC and all its supporters. The club will support the police and will continue to work closely with the police to eradicate football violence.

"If anyone has information regarding this incident they should call the police."

The incident on Saturday is the latest in a series involving Burnley fans this year. Trouble has flared at matches against Wolverhampton Wanderers, Preston North End and Stoke City.

Anyone with information about the incident can contact Burnley Police on 01282 425001 or the Crimestoppers line on 0800 555111.