A lifelong Brighton and Hove Albion fan took his own life after suffering financial and health problems, an inquest heard.

Roy Chuter, who was credited with helping save the club in the 1990s, was 51 when he was hit by a high speed train at East Worthing station on July 31 last year.

Yesterday an inquest into his death heard how Mr Chuter, of Grafton Road, Worthing, arrived at the station shortly before midnight on July 30 and sat in a platform waiting shelter writing various suicide notes to friends and family.

The keen writer, who contributed to the Gulls Eye Albion fanzine and watched the team with his father as a season ticket holder in the 1970s, spent the night in the shelter before climbing down onto the tracks and into the path of an oncoming train shortly before 6am.

A statement from Mr Chuter’s sister Lynn Reeves, 50, described how his sight deteriorated in the years leading up to his death.

She said he underwent an eye operation to treat cataracts in 2012 but he was “seemingly left unable to read or write”.

He struggled financially and missed rent payments in December 2012 and March and April 2013, followed by an eviction notice on May 5.

Ms Reeves said: “He had no money coming in at all and later received a court order. He never spoke of his money worries.

“He was really bright and personable and friendly to everyone. He didn’t judge anyone ever and was always upbeat.

“He was a very private person with both his thoughts and his feelings. He didn’t apply for benefits. He didn’t like the idea of signing on.

“When we asked he would say he was fine and moved on quickly.”

Mr Chuter died from multiple injuries.

Concluding Mr Chuter took his own life, coroner Dr David Skipp said: “It is tragic that a man who had so much potential and ability should be reduced to having to take a course of action that led to these consequences.

“It is sad he had to spend that night on the station on his own but that was perhaps his choice as a private individual.”