Club tribute to fan whose 'devotion shone through'

The body of popular Wigan Athletic supporter Darren Orme was found on Monday

Wigan Athletic fans will be invited to take part in a minute's applause in honour of a lifelong supporter whose passion and devotion to the club was "always shining through".

Darren Orme's body was found in the Stadium Way area of the town on Monday after a major search for the 54-year-old who went missing earlier this month.

The club said the applause would be held at the Brick Community Stadium on Saturday when Wigan play Barnsley.

Supporters are also encouraged to lay flowers, shirts and scarves at the ground for the fan who was "forever one of our own", and they can also pay their respects in a book of condolence.

The club has planned tributes before their home match against Barnsley on Saturday

Greater Manchester Police said there were not believed to be any suspicious circumstances surrounding Mr Orme's death.

Local teams and supporters group have paid tribute to him.

The Official Wigan Athletic Supporters Group, of which Mr Orme was a member for 40 years, said fans were "devastated" by his passing.

He always wore a Latics shirt and was a "recognisable and loved character" at both home and away matches, the group said.

"Darren was Wigan Athletic through and through and he lived and breathed blue and white," it added.

"We know that Darren will always be cheering Latics on in spirit."

The supporters group is set to posthumously award him fan of the month in tribute before Saturday's match, where a framed certificate will be passed to his family.

Wigan Warriors also expressed its condolences to Mr Orme, and joined Wigan Athletic in asking for supporters to respect his family "during this extremely difficult time".