Tributes have been paid to Norwich City FC head steward Pat Nelson, known as 'Mr Carrow', who has died aged 69 after a short battle with illness.

Mr Nelson, who had lived for the past 46 years at the same address in Hellesdon, would have been a familiar face to many at Carrow Road where he served for more than 41 years.

Most recently he was in charge of the turnstiles operators and ensuring that all supporters had a smooth entry to the stadium on matchday.

His duties required him to tour the outside of the stadium once the turnstiles had opened, which allowed him the opportunity to chat to supporters as they arrived, which he considered to be one of the attractions of the role he filled.

The club said: 'He was well-known to supporters, who respected and liked him. He was also, of course, a devoted Canaries fan.

'We would like to place on record our sincere condolences to Pat's family and friends at this sad time.

'He will be greatly missed by all his friends, colleagues and many fans at Carrow Road.'

Mr Nelson's family also paid tribute and his daughter Heidi Ayers said: 'My dad was a larger than life person who touched everybody in some way everywhere he went.'

She said that he acquired the affectionate nickname of 'Mr Carrow' from a policeman.

She added: 'The joke behind that was that if anything was going on and they needed somebody to respond to it, 'Mr Carrow' was in such and such a stand.'

Tributes to Mr Nelson have also been paid on the Pink 'Un website.

One said: 'Mr Carrow has left the building. Pat had served the club for over 40 years and will be missed by all who knew him.'

Mr Nelson was a retired electricity board worker. Since his retirement he had worked as a delivery driver and each year he worked at the Royal Norfolk Show at the Showground in Costessey.

He was also part of the local scout group, The Second Hellesdon, for 30 years. Apart from the Canaries, his other great passion was bowling, which he started playing aged just 18.

He leaves behind his wife Val, son Alex and daughter Heidi, and four grandchildren – Stephanie, Erin, Trey and Samuel.

The funeral will be at Earlham Crematorium at 3pm on Monday, December 12.

The family have requested that everyone wears yellow or green or a combination of the colours in Mr Nelson's memory.

Family flowers only for the funeral but they are accepting donations in lieu of flowers for the Guist Ward at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, c/o Gordon Barber funeral home, where Mr Nelson spent his last days and died on Sunday.

Would you like to pay tribute to a loved one in the Evening News? Call reporter David Bale on 01603 772427 or email david.bale2@archant.co.uk