FORMER Clarets manager Stan Ternent joined club chiefs, ex-players and supporters to say a final goodbye to a fan who lived for the club.

People lined the streets outside Turf Moor as a mark of respect for Shaun Parker, 37, of West View Avenue, Padiham, who died last week after a short illness.

Mourners were asked to wear Burnley FC shirts to help celebrate the life one of the club's most devoted fans. Former Clarets players Chris Brass, currently player-manager at York City, Andy Payton and c lub chairman Barry Kilby joined club staff and fans in lining Harry Potts Way.

A minute's silence was observed as the cortege arrived at the ground. Shaun, who was blind from birth, was a popular character in both Burnley and Padiham and was well known for being out and about with his beloved guide dog Gabby.

At the packed service at Burnley Crematorium, attended by Stan Ternent, Fr Francis Jennings described the Clarets fan as 'inspirational' and as a 'selfless' person.

Around 300 people were at the service to pay their last respects. Fr Jennings, who preached at St John's in Padiham, where Shaun attended, said: "I for one will miss Shaun. I consider myself fortunate to experience a human being with so little self interest. He was a loveable guy.

"He was a very funny man with a sense of humour and one great Claret who will be sadly missed. He will be one more Claret in heaven - paint heaven claret and blue for us Shaun."

A poem by his parents Barbara and Tom was read out at the funeral: 'Our darling Shaun. Even if we could take every special memory we have shared and got them together we could never find a box big enough to hold all the smiles, the love, the warmth and joy that you have brought into our lives since the day you were born.

'It's been an honour and a privilege to have been your family. God bless. We will love you forever, you will always be our inspiration'.

Paul Smith, Boundary Clarets organiser, and one of Shaun's best friends, said: "We weren't expecting Stan to be here but what a fantastic touch. Shaun would have been so happy."

Chris Brass said: "Shaun was a life-long supporter at Burnley who rarely missed any games. It's a sad loss not only to his family but also to the club."

Shaun's brother, Thomas Parker, 38, of Coronation Avenue, Padiham, who lived around the corner from Shaun, said: "We wanted people to remember Shaun for the lovely, kind-hearted person that he was."