A Clarets-mad pensioner, banned from the club following a dispute about a season ticket refund, has described his barring as ‘gut-wrenching’.

Wayne Murtaugh, 64, who has followed Burnley FC since 1954, was told by the club he was no longer welcome at Turf Moor after challenging the amount he was offered as part of the Chairman’s Pledge, which gave season ticket holders a refund if the club were promoted to the Premier League.

For the 2008/09 season Mr Murtaugh, a retired company director, of Leeds Road, Nelson, paid £1,140 for a 100 Club ticket in the Bob Lord Stand.

He was offered £396 by the club, the cost of an average season ticket in the stand, when the club honoured the pledge made by Clarets chairman, Barry Kilby, to loyal fans.

However, Mr Murtaugh believes he is entitled to the full amount which, after no agreement was reached through the club’s complaints procedure, has led to a legal wrangle in the civil courts.

Mr Murtaugh, who has held an executive ticket for more than 30 years, said: “I can understand people being banned for a criminal offence of some sort but I have not done anything wrong.

“So, in effect, I have been banned for nothing and this has left me with a social stigma.

“I have been a match-day sponsor, private room holder, vice president’s club member and 100 club member. This treatment is diabolical.”

Throughout the dispute Burnley FC claimed they were absolutely right in offering refunds worth the equivalent of a season ticket ‘seat’ for the average fan and the pledge was not intended to fully refund executive supporters.

The matter has been dealt with by the Independent Football Ombudsman, who published its findings this week.

In the report, ombudsman Professor Derek Fraser noted that ‘the club offered a staged re-instatement if the legal action was withdrawn but the offer was not accepted’.

In concluding the report, Prof Fraser said: “The club’s stance is that it does not wish to admit someone whose actions they see as damaging the club.

“However, the complainant has not breached ground regulations or behaved improperly.

“A short-term absence from the ground might benefit both parties.

"However, a long-term ban would be excessive and unfair.”

Burnley FC declined to comment, saying it was a matter between the club and the individual.