MEMBERS of Burnley Football Club supporters' associations today spoke of their dismay as they faced a ban from away games in Nottingham following the death of 17-year-old Forest fan Nathan Shaw.

Alan Beecroft, treasurer of Colne Clarets, said the reputation of fans following the Nationwide League club had taken a battering in recent months and had already resulted in a ban from Millwall.

The Football Association is waiting to hear whether Clarets supporters will be banned from Nottingham's City ground after the incident.

Nathan Shaw died from head injuries in Royal Preston Hospital on Sunday.

Mr Beecroft said: "I think it would be out of order if Burnley fans were banned from travelling to Nottingham for matches because it would be stopping the genuine fans from enjoying the game.

"People who travel go with organised supporters groups.

"In the 70s, away fans were taking their life in to their hands and now it is getting where we seem to be going back to the same scenario.

"There is no excuse for what happened on Saturday. It was an awful thing to happen.

"Something needs to be done to stop incidents like this but banning genuine fans and keeping them segregated is crazy.

"For years we have been mixing with away fans and have had some great times with them but Burnley has such a bad reputation now."

Another member of a Burnley supporters club, who did not wish to be named, said: "We were expecting to be banned from the match.

"It would be common sense. But it means the true fans are suffering.

"Burnley fans have now got a reputation and are going to be treated like animals at every game we travel to.

"We are already seen as thugs and hooligans which is not what we are.

"It's going to have a detrimental affect on everything we do. There is now a fear factor involved when going to football matches which is not what football is about.

"Away fans are not going to want to come to Burnley, which will eventually impact on the club and its financial position."