A ROUND of applause is being planned for a Saints game in memory of a long-time fan.

Phil Morgan, who has spent years travelling watching his "first love" suddenly passed away at the age of 60.

He was cutting the lawn in the garden on August 31 when he felt quite unwell.

He suffered a sudden cardiac arrest before sadly passing away in hospital three days later.

The applause was originally planned for the sixtieth minute of the Saints Premier League match against Brentford at St Mary's.

But this had to be postponed as all Premier League games were put on hold following the deathof the Queen.

The tribute is being planned for another home game.

His son Liam Morgan said: "He was always going to the Saints game with all his mates.

READ MORE: Southampton butcher's shop closes after 16 years with couple set to retire

"He would go to Spoons for breakfast in Winchester and get the train down.

"He used to have a season ticket. Then he had kids and didn't go as much, but started going again more recently. I would say about 13 games a season at home.

"He was always taking me to watch Saints play when I was younger."

He described him as a "true gentleman", a real "family man, hard-working, funny, very caring".

"He was a brilliant grandfather," he added. "He would just come around to say hello, any excuse to come and say hello. He would just come and drop off a bottle of milk just to see them.

"He was fantastic."

He described his father's passing as "very out of the blue" and "very unexpected".

Mr Morgan worked as a maintenance man at Roadchef in Sutton Scotney near Winchester, and lived in the city.

READ MORE: Premier League fixtures officially postponed following Queen's passing

A message was to be printed in the match day programme in his memory.

It described him as a "true Saint's fan".

It read: "Although he had a fiancé, two children and two grandchildren, Saints was, and always will be his first love.

"He loved nothing more than going to saints games with his son and his mates - full up from a Spoons breakfast and a couple (many) beers.

"He was a true gentleman with a heart of gold and was loved by so many. We love you Phil, dad, grandad. And as he would so proudly say: UP THE SAINTS."

Phil also leaves behind his fiance Sarah Sparks, daughter Zoe Robinson, and grandchildren Daisy and Charlie.

A message from the Editor

Thank you for reading this article - we appreciate your support in reading the Daily Echo.

Subscribing to the Echo means you have unrestricted access to the latest news, features and Saints coverage - all with an advertising-light website.

You will also have full access to Saintsplus, your new home for Southampton FC tactical analysis, features and much, much more.

Don't just take my word for it - subscribe today.

Follow the latest breaking news in the Southampton area by searching Southampton News - Breaking News and Incidents on Facebook

Follow the latest court and crime news on our dedicated group by searching Hampshire Court and Crime News on Facebook