THE heart and soul of Burnley FC paid its last respects to a tragic football fan who died while following his team.

Teenage Nottingham Forest supporter Nathan Shaw died after being hit by a bottle during a violent incident in the town centre before the two clubs played last month.

Last year's top scorer Gareth Taylor and defender Ian Cox travelled to Nottingham to pay their respects at Nathan's funeral. Chief executive of Burnley Andrew Watson and company secretary Kathy Pickup also made the trip to pay their respects.

Forest's leading goalscorer David Johnson, who played on loan at Burnley last season, was joined by fellow forward Jack Lester and club chief executive, Mark Arthur at the service.

Since the 17-year-old's death his parents have been too upset to talk about what happened. But mourners packed into St Margaret's CE Church in Aspley to bid farewell to Nathan yesterday.

Reverend David Ward conducted the ceremony, during which Abide With Me was played and a family friend sang a solo of Nathan's favourite song, UB40s Kingston Town.

Rev Ward added: "It was a fitting tribute to Nathan. There was a full church and it was a nice service in which I spoke about his love for Nottingham Forest."

A spokesman for Burnley Football Club said: "Once again everyone at Burnley Football Club sends their sympathies to Nathan's family and friends at this sad time."

The local club declined to comment further.

Nathan's coffin was draped in a Forest flag with a Burberry cap on top as it entered the church.

A Nottingham Forest club spokesman said: "Everybody associated at the club would like to express their sympathy to Nathan's family at this time. Our thoughts are with them."

Speaking after the funeral, Forest chief executive Mark Arthur said: "It was a very sad day for everyone connected with Nottingham Forest. This club was a very important part of his life and it is such a tragedy something like this should happen to a very genuine person following one of his great loves.

"The more we discovered about Nathan, the more we realised that he was a very caring person who was extremely popular with everyone he came into contact with. We've been deeply saddened by the loss and our thoughts are with his family and friends."

Floral tributes were left in St James Street, Burnley, after Nathan's death. Football scarves and shirts, cards and messages of condolence were also left by people wanting to pay their respects.

Andrew McNee, 18, of Osborne Way, Haslingden, has been remanded in custody charged with murder.