POLICE are warning Burnley fans to be on their best behaviour ahead of this weekend's final match of the season against Coventry.

Pitch invasions have become a tradition at Turf Moor over recent years, but police say fans are risking arrest and even possible bans from football grounds if they go onto the field.

The match, on Sunday, is a vital game for the Clarets who could grab a place in the First Division play-offs.

Police and Burnley FC have also agreed that if there is a pitch invasion none of the players, from either Burnley or Coventry, will come back onto the pitch for their traditional final day lap of honour.

Match Commander Inspector David Shepherd, of Burnley Police, said: "We are urging fans to stay off the field of play at the final whistle for a number of reasons, especially the safety of everyone involved and also the enjoyment of the vast majority of fans who disapprove of people going on to the pitch.

"Most people don't want to see pitch invasions and if people do invade the field the players will not be coming back out to be applauded for their efforts through the season."

The appeal to fans has been backed by all of the supporters' clubs representatives who attended last week's Meet the Board event. In the past few seasons, the squad has been unable to do a lap of honour to thank the supporters because of fans from the lower tier of the James Hargreaves Stand running onto the pitch and preventing any sort of reception for the team.

The players want the chance to show their appreciation to the fans, whatever the result, and Bill Mellor of the Central Lancs Clarets said:

"We would like to ask all supporters to please stay off the pitch at the end of the last match with Coventry City or in the play-offs, if we get there. If we do that then we can all see the team at the end of the game."

Those thoughts were echoed by Paul Burrows of the London Clarets who added: "By running on at the end of the game, it will stop hundreds of people seeing the team."

Ian Watson of the Claret And Blue Supporters' Club said: "Please don't run onto the pitch and stop 20,000 fans from thanking the team for their performances."

And Paul Smith, from the Boundary Clarets was also keen to encourage fans to stay in their seats and he said: "Let the majority of support see the team and don't let the minority ruin it."