Tributes have been paid to a Brighton and Hove Albion’s “fan of the season”.

Brighton and Hove Albion said they were “sad to learn” that the 2017 – 2018 fan of the season, Ken Valder had died last weekend.

A spokesman for the club said he was “kind, generous, and a devoted Albion supporter”

He was the Seagulls’ first ever premiership fan of the season.

Ken, 67, from Bevendean, had been a ‘Here to Help’ worker at the Amex Stadium since 2015, devoting his time to not only helping his fellow fans, but supporting his team nationally.

The Argus: Ken Valder won the award at the Players' Awards Dinner in 2018. Ken Valder won the award at the Players' Awards Dinner in 2018.

Along with volunteering for the club, he was an active member of the Time To Talk Befriending scheme in Brighton, a charity dedicated to building relationships with the lonely and elderly.

The Argus spoke to Alex Valder, Ken’s Son. He said: “He was a great man we have lost. He has basically been my hero.”

“I mean he’s made a lot of people Brighton fans and done lots of help with the community.”

“He really enjoyed helping out at a really good team.”

Ken took Alex to his first game when he was three years old. He said: “He’s always been around football. He’s coached local teams, helping out with children learning and playing football.”

“It’s a family affair to play football. All because of his love for it.”

Ken had been battling with oesophageal cancer in the months leading up to his death, receiving radiotherapy and surgery from doctors in Brighton and London.

Writing on Twitter, fan Tony Cooney said: “People like him will always be the cornerstone of the club”, with another saying this was not only a “A loss to his family, but also to the club and the wider community.”

Ken’s last game at the Amex was the Brighton vs Aston Villa match on November 13th, where he was able to meet some players.

Ken was said to be “delighted” to have won the Fan of the Season award, where his son, Alex had nominated him.  He said: “He was completely unaware. We went to the awards ceremony and said my friend from a local charity got given tickets.”

“The team have been great to him.”

Brighton & Hove Albion said : “The thoughts of everyone at the club are with his family and friends at this difficult time.”