'We need to give Mark a proper send-off at Stoke City'

Minute's applause plan after lifelong fan dies at 65

- Thomas Cooper

THE family of a lifelong Stoke City fan are calling for a stadium-wide tribute following his death.

Mark Bradbury died peacefully in the early hours of Boxing Day morning.

The 65-year-old had been admitted to the Royal Stoke University Hospital with what appeared to be a simple toe infection on December 3.

But his condition rapidly deteriorated - and he was moved to the Douglas Macmillan Hospice, in Blurton, on December 22.

Football fan Mr Bradbury, of Meir, leaves his three children, Laura, Donna and Darren Bradbury, alongside three grandchildren.

His son-in-law Gary Gibson said: “He went into the hospital because he had this infection in his toe.