Tributes have poured in for a popular Saints supporter who died suddenly.

Kevin Sadler, who was born in Millbrook, passed away aged 31.

The father-of-three lived in Stoke with his children and fiancé, Kerry James, but continued to be an avid follower of Southampton Football Club.

Despite living hundreds of miles away, the former Millbrook School pupil was well known among Saints fans, due to his activity on online football forums and social networking websites.

Saints left back Luke Shaw led the tributes to Mr Sadler on Twitter, tweeting to his 31,600 followers: “Rip Kev Sadler.”

Lifelong Saints supporter and The Pink columnist, Daren Wheeler, said: “I knew Kevin through the internet like a lot of people did because he created quite a few pages about Saints. He was besotted with the club.

“He was a young dad with kids – 31 is no age at all. It puts everything in perspective.

“I never actually met him in person but I spoke to him over the phone and he was a lovely man – just a nice friendly guy. He always had time for people and he never upset anyone. It’s so sad.”