Family ask Ipswich supporters to honour lifelong fan

Valentine Powell supported the Tractor Boys for more than 60 years

The family of an avid football fan have asked fellow supporters to pay tribute to him at their team's final match of the season.

Lifelong Ipswich Town fan Valentine Powell sat in the North Stand at Portman Road and attended matches until recently.

He died last Thursday following a short bout of illness, aged 81.

Granddaughter Jasmine Powell asked fellow Blues fans to take part in a one-minute round of applause in the 81st minute of the home game against Huddersfield on Saturday.

Mr Powell's granddaughter said he would have attended Ipswich Town's final game of the season this coming weekend if he were still alive

"We always knew he was the biggest Ipswich fan and he was so loved there," Ms Powell explained.

"We are really excited to be able to celebrate his life during Saturday's game.

"Hopefully that 81st minute applause can happen and be widespread.

"For my two sons who are five and one, that is going to be a great memory of their granddad."

Ipswich Town need at least a point in the match against Huddersfield in order to clinch promotion to the Premier League

Ms Powell said his death was "particularly" sudden after a week spent in hospital.

"We were talking with people in the ward about the football and he would have been going to this game," she said.

Ms Powell plans to sit in her grandfather's seat, with her mother beside her. Other relatives will be in the family section.

According to the family, the club has offered to put a message on its big screen urging supporters to join the applause.

While not a big Town fan herself, Ms Powell shared some memories of her granddad, who worked as a painter: "I remember one time he left his North Stand seat as we got some tickets through my primary school and we were in the family area.

"He said 'why is everybody so quiet?' - which I'm sure will not be the case on Saturday - and he never let me live that one down."

Ipswich will clinch promotion to the Premier League if they avoid defeat on Saturday.