Ipswich football 'fanatic' dies after terminal brain tumour

Steve Kirby (left) and Gary Battle became friends in recent years, and even referred to each other as "football brothers"

A devoted football fan who had a stage four terminal brain tumour has died.

Tributes have been paid to Gary Battle, 52, of Lowestoft, Suffolk, whose bucket list dream of watching Ipswich Town from an executive suite, came true in January.

Steve Kirby, his "football brother", suggested a minute's applause for his friend at Portman Road.

He said: "He did like being centre of attention so he would be loving it".

Mr Kirby described Nina, Gary's wife as the "life and soul of the section that we sit in"

Mr Kirby, 52, who lives near Maldon, Essex, launched an appeal to help Mr Battle achieve his dream of watching his favourite team from the Sir Bobby Robson Suite at Portman Road.

Nearly 200 donors raised enough money to pay for it.

Mr Battle, who had undergone 15 rounds of radiation therapy since his diagnosis in September 2022, died on Friday.

Mr Kirby praised the "togetherness" of Ipswich fans, but also fans of rival clubs, who have contributed to Mr Battle's dream

Mr Kirby said: "Nina said quite recently that he was just a kind and caring man and that was so incredibly true. Gary was always happy knowing his friends and family were too.

"He loved football and Ipswich was his passion. Gary had a dream day in the Sir Bobby Robson suite... It turned out to be the last game he went to.

"Nina has been at his side whilst he had a spell in hospital afterwards and since then cared for him whilst he was on palliative care. He had regular visits from family and friends."

He added Mr Battle had asked for football shirts to be worn at his funeral and donations to be made to St Elizabeth Hospice and the Ipswich Town Football Club Foundation.

A spokesperson from the club said a graphic would be put on the screen on the 52nd minute of the match against Middlesbrough following Mr Battle's death.

Mr Battle met his idol, Ipswich Town's Welsh international winger Wes Burns, and described him as a "really sweet person"

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