The family of a former Norwich City Football Club fanzine editor found dead in Norwich have paid tribute to an 'intelligent, articulate and funny' man who they were all 'so proud of'.

Jonathan Day, pictured, known as Jon, used to edit the Y'army fanzine. He was discovered in Norwich on Monday and an inquest into his death is due to be opened today.

Mr Day, a former Aviva press officer, was an avid Norwich City fan who used to write a column for the Evening News' sister paper the EDP.

Last night his sister Joanna Day led tributes on behalf of her family which she said was 'so proud' of her brother.

She said: 'I don't think I have ever met anybody who hasn't said how intelligent, how articulate and how funny he was. When he was in the room, he just lit it up. He had such a lovely way of looking at life.'

The 37-year-old, who also wrote an online football blog and went by the name @Jonsensical on Twitter, did stand-up comedy from a young age and his sister said he could always 'see the funny side of life'.

Mr Day, who lived off Oak Street and worked for Swinton Insurance at Rosary Road, moved back to the city from London at the end of last year.

He was brought up in Diss and spent time in Sussex, where his sister and younger brother Jamie both live.

Miss Day said her brother was well travelled, having visited many countries including India, Australia and parts of Africa.

But his heart had always remained in Norwich thanks to his passion for its football team. The Canaries fan had gone to his first match with his grandfather at the age of five or six.

'From that moment, Jonathan had the passion,' his sister said. 'He used to teach me all about football. He loved Norwich City. For a long time, that was what he lived and breathed.'

Yesterday, tributes flooded in from friends and fellow Canaries fans who had been struck by Mr Day's passion for the club.

Robin Sainty, chairman of the Independent Norwich City Supporters Club, formerly the Norwich City Independent Supporters Association (NCISA), said he used to communicate with him regularly on Twitter and was 'shocked' to hear of his death.

He said: 'He was a really intelligent, nice guy with lots and lots of interests quite apart from football. To lose someone with that amount of passion is always a huge loss. I read the fanzine several times and it was clearly a labour of love. I think anyone like that is always sadly missed.'

Kathy Blake, secretary of the Independent Norwich City Supporters Club, said: 'It's very sad. He was a nice bloke and very thoughtful – he was a thinking football fan. His blogs were very deep.'

Gavin Cooper, chairman of the Capital Canaries supporters group, said: 'I have personally known Jon since I started regularly attending games with the Capital Canaries in 2002.

'It was a distinctive part of the day that we bought a copy of the Yarmy Magazine, usually from Jon, before entering the Barclay for each home match. Since the demise of Yarmy, we still bumped into Jon at many a game and in many a pub throughout the years.

'I'm sure I can speak for many members of the Capital Canaries in saying that Jon will be greatly missed. His contribution to the football family of Norwich City Football Club was notable and will never be forgotten.

'In recent years his followers on Twitter and other Blog sites have been kept entertained by his musings, quips and downright hilarity at times.'

Last night Mr Day's sister said she and her family had been touched by the many kind words said about him and would take comfort from them.

She added: 'I can't believe how many people have come forward with such lovely words. I'm so grateful about that. He had so many people who cared about him.

'He used to speak so highly about his friends – I know they meant an awful lot to him.'

Miss Day thanked everyone for their support but added that the family had asked that their privacy was respected at this difficult time.

Anyone wanting to know details of the funeral, or anyone who would like to make a donation towards a tribute to Mr Day, can contact R J Bartram and Son Funeral Services in Wymondham.

Would you like to pay tribute to Mr Day? Contact reporter Peter Walsh on 01603 772436.