FOR ten years, Shaun Parker has followed the Clarets home and away and there are plenty of people who can't understand why.

That is because Shaun is blind and cannot see the game.

"Sometimes that has been a bit of a blessing," he joked as he looked back on a love affair with Burnley that began when his dad first took him to Turf Moor as a four-year-old.

"But I have only missed a few games in recent years when I have had to be in hospital because of my diabetes. Even then I try to persuade them to let me out but they tell me I get too excited."

Shaun travels all over the country from his Padiham home with the Boundary Clarets and he can't understand why people question his devotion.

"You just can't beat going to the games," he said. "You have a drink and a bite on the way and then you enjoy the atmosphere and the camaraderie while you are there."

One of his happiest memories came when he was invited into the dressing room on a trip to Plymouth when it was his birthday by Jimmy Mullen, meeting the players like John Pender.

But there have been bad times as well and he recalled: "One of the worst clubs was Luton. I went there with my radio and the stewards tried to take it off me.

"Another problem I had was at one club where they wanted to confiscate my white stick because it was a dangerous weapon. Luckily everyone at Turf Moor has been great to me."

Just travelling to the games has seen some funny moments, not least last season's trip to Wolves.

"I sit in the front behind the driver and a lad got on beside me," he said. "I was talking to him but he said nothing and so when we stopped I complained that he was ignorant. It was only then they explained to me the lad was not ignorant, he was deaf and dumb!

"Then there was the time we stayed in a hotel in Plymouth. I was on the top floor and we all went out for a few drinks and when I got back I was stuck in the lift just pressing buttons and going up and down.

"The poor night porter had no idea what was going on."

It is Paul Smith from the Boundary Clarets who provides running commentary for Shaun during games but he confessed: "It is certainly different being blind but it is not that hard to tell what is happening from the different noises that the crowd makes."

But it was on one away trip he got some good natured barracking from his own fans. He recalled: "We were playing at Fulham when Don Mackay was the manager and I was late into the game.

"He ended up walking me round the pitch and the Burnley fans gave me stick for being with an ex-Blackburn boss. But Don was great with me."

Burnley is a club that is not short of loyal fans and Shaun Parker is undoubtedly a fine example of the breed.