A football club has paid tribute to a dedicated fan who regularly travelled hundreds of miles to see the team.

Gareth Needham, affectionately known to fans at Barnet FC as Donny Gaz, died on Tuesday evening, aged 32.

Mr Needham started following Barnet FC aged 15, after watching a game on television and being entertained by a post-match interview with Barry Fry, the club manager at the time.

Despite living 150 miles away from the club in Bessacarr, near Doncaster, which led to his nickname of ‘Donny’ Gaz, he started to attend both home and away games. 

Mr Needham did not miss a game for five years, until he was involved in a serious accident while travelling back from watching Barnet play Wycombe in December 2006. He was left in a coma and lost a leg after he was hit by a train.

After spending six weeks in a coma and undergoing several operations, he made his long-awaited return to Underhill just four months after the accident to watch Barnet play Darlington.

Having recently had a prosthetic leg fitted, Mr Needham walked to the centre circle and addressed supporters to thank them for the overwhelming support he had received during his recovery.

He watched the game, which Barnet won 2-1, from the family stand surrounded by friends and family.

Mr Needham continued to attend games whenever possible, and remained close friends with many people at the club.

His final visit to watch the club play was in September this year, when a last-minute free kick from Luisma Villa gave Barnet a dramatic late win over Alfreton Town.

Barnet FC chairman Tony Kleanthous said: “I feel devastated by this very tragic news. I remember Gareth from when we used to be at Underhill and he would come up by my seat and say hello. He would always have encouraging words about the game ahead, or, if we were doing badly, about how we would do better next time.

“He always had a positive outlook and a smile on his face, which never changed despite his horrific accident. I last saw him just a few weeks ago as I was rushing through the bar and he pulled me aside to say hello. I wish I had spent a bit more time with him, but who was to know that it would be the last time that I saw him?

“My heart goes out to his family and everybody at the club has a deepest sympathy and will remember the true legend in our family that was Donny Gaz.”

Mr Needham leaves behind his mother Ann-Marie, his father Graham and his twin brother Mark.