TRIBUTES have been paid to a lifelong Saints supporter, and founder of the Southampton Fan Club, who has died at the age of 64.

David Parkin, from Millbrook, was known by many as a “massive” Saints fan, and was one of the founding member of the Southampton Fan Club in the 1970s.

As well as his boyhood club, he was also a huge England supporter, and travelling all over the world to follow the two teams.

But, for the past seven years David, a security officer, had been battling cancer. He was diagnosed with Myeloma in 2013.

Last month, David had gone to Southampton General Hospital to prepare for an operation, when he suffered a fatal stroke.

Now tributes have been paid by his friends and family, as well as people on social media who had met him during his travels across the world.

Many said they remembered him sitting at the back of coaches, playing music and telling stories.

Daily Echo: David Parkin with his sister Linda and their mum in 2001.David Parkin with his sister Linda and their mum in 2001.

His older sister, Linda Haysom, said: “He was a complex character, he didn’t always get on with people, but his heart was in the right place, and he was loved by many.

“He was happiest, after the match, with a pint in his hand, telling stories to a captive audience and playing music. He did a lot of jobs all to fund his travels, that was his one and only love, football and rugby.”

Although never married, David was known by his friends as a “real conversation maker”.

One friend, Simon Small, used to visit David at his flat in Bassett when he was being treated for his cancer.

He said: “He would always talk to people around him, even if they didn’t know him.

“He had amazing stories of games he had been to all over the world with England and Saints. When he was telling all these stories, you wish you’d got a pen and paper.

“I’m very sad that he’s passed, he was very popular.”

David’s funeral is taking place next week at Southampton Crematorium.

All who are attending are being asked to wear red and white, or a Saints strip, which was one of David’s wishes before he passed away. His wake is being held at The Saints Pub in Millbrook and his family are asking for donations to Teenage Cancer Trust, and Macmillan Cancer Support, his favourite charities.

Any donations to the two charities can be made by clicking here.