BURNLEY fan Iain Beattie proved he was a true Clarets supporter by getting to the match despite having two bandaged feet -- and although his team crashed to a 5-2 defeat by Reading, he thought it was worth all the effort.

The 45-year-old season ticket holder had an operation on Thursday to remove extra bone which has fused the joints in both big toes. But he was so determined to see Burnley play at Turf Moor on Saturday he organised his day out within hours of leaving hospital.

He managed to arrange transport from his home in Cross Hills, borrowed a wheelchair and got disability seating at the ground for the game. Iain usually has a front row seat at Turf Moor and follows them home and away.

He said: "I can't put any pressure on my toes and they are both bandaged up, so I'm using crutches. I have to walk on my heels, so I managed to borrow a wheelchair off my dad.

"I have to keep the bandages on for two weeks, so the away game at Coventry could also be a problem but I will be going.

"Burnley didn't play well against Reading but it's worth going to see them win or lose. I'm just They'll play better on Saturday."

Iain, who works as a quality technician at MB Aerospace in Burnley, plays cricket for Glusburn in the Craven League, and only misses Burnley matches when they clash with cricket matches.

"I saw them beat Stockport in the play-offs at Wembley to get back into the First Division because the game was on a Sunday and didn't clash with cricket and a little thing like not being able to walk would not stop me getting to a match."

He has supported Burnley since the age of nine when he used to go to the game with his father and uncle and, in the same tradition, he now takes his nephew.

n Iain at Turf Moor (right)