The devastated family of a Blackburn Rovers fan fatally injured at Saturday's game at Stoke have paid tribute to him.
John Stephen Taylor, 30, died in the early hours of Sunday morning after suffering head injuries during his team's 3-0 win on Saturday.
It is believed the dad-of-one was hit by a metal bin that had been thrown across the concourse by another Rovers fan during the half time break.
Yesterday his family spoke of their shock at their loss.
Mother Susan Taylor, 51, who lives just a short distance from her son's home, said: “The police said it was a group of them having a laugh, and a bin started flying around, and the next time it came over it hit John on the back of the head.
“He just went to watch his team play football, and now I can’t bring him home.
“He only lived around the corner, so he could just pop home for tea. He always had a cheeky grin. He was always smiling, all his life and was the life and soul of any party.”
John was the oldest of four brothers and was due to be joint best man at his younger brother Mark's wedding in October.
Mark, 24, said: “We were organising the stag do on the way down. Now it won’t be the same.
“He was a massive Rovers fan, and everyone knows him in Darwen.
"I was always referred to as ‘John’s brother’ everywhere I went. He’s always been a legend."
John leaves an eight-year-old son Jacob, who Mark said "idolised" his dad and regularly joined him at Ewood Park.
A tribute group dedicated to the lifelong Rovers fan was set up on the social networking site Facebook.
The introduction read: "John's family here... We've created a Facebook group for him, if you like to leave any messages. Thanks to all for the kind messages, and poem. It's much appreciated at this sad time.
"Words can't describe how we feel right now, John was a great dad, an awesome Bruv, and a great Friend to many. Rest In Peace Bruv, You'll never be forgotten."
Police are continuing to investigate the incident and a 25-year-old man arrested in connection with the incident had been bailed pending further inquiries.
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