HE was one of Saints' most ardent and long-serving fans - not missing a home match for 50 years.

Such was Walter Carpenter's devotion to the club, he was buried with one of their famous red-and-white striped shirts.

Now his family have paid tribute to the man who died aged 94 at Southampton General Hospital when his health deteriorated after he broke a hip.

The retired dock worker lived with his wife May in Gladstone Road, Sholing, for 50 years. The couple met on the floating bridge that ferried people from Woolston to the city

centre before the Itchen toll bridge was built.

A true Southampton man, Mr Carpenter had been brought up in the city's New Road and Chantry Road area, with six brothers and four sisters.

As a fanatical young football fan, Mr Carpenter worked at the old Dell selling tobacco in return for a free match ticket. He didn't miss a game until the late 1970s.

His devotion to football continued during his time working as a stevedore at Southampton docks, when he managed the Docklands Settlement football team.

At his funeral at St Mary's Extra Cemetery Chapel in Sholing, Mr Carpenter was buried with a Saints No 7 shirt - representing his favourite midfield position.

Mr Carpenter, who died on September 24, leaves his 89-year-old widow May and the couple's only daughter, Evelyn Askew.

Mrs Askew, 58, of Basingstoke, said: "My father was a real people person. He loved talking to people and was always joking and happy. He was full of life and always saw the best in people."