Funeral for Norwich City steward to be held this week
Kate ScotterThe funeral of a Norwich City football steward, who died suddenly aged just 28, is to be held this week.Kate Scotter
The funeral of a Norwich City football steward, who died suddenly aged just 28, is to be held this week.
Popular Olly Skinner, a single man from Laburnum Close, Wymondham, was found dead on Sunday, January 24.
He was a building foreman but he had also been a steward at the Norwich and Peterborough lower stand at the Carrow Road ground for about a year.
His funeral will be held this Thursday at Earlham Crematorium at 9.45am.
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Meanwhile, an inquest was opened in Norwich yesterday.
The inquest heard that Mr Skinner was found hanging at his home by a friend. A post mortem examination was carried out and the cause of death was given as hanging by the neck.
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Greater Norfolk Coroner William Armstrong said Mr Skinner also left a note behind. He adjourned the inquest to a date to be fixed.
Since the Evening News reported his death, tributes have flooded in and friends and colleagues have spoken of their shock.
Friend and fellow steward Peter Flatt, from Tippett Close, Norwich, said: 'When he came into your presence he would lighten the whole room up with his humour and no-one had a bad word to say about him.
'We would always have a laugh and a joke together and I was with him at the home game against Brentford, when he was bright and bubbly, and then hours later he had gone forever.'
Brett Flavell, 29, who had been friends with Mr Skinner for five years, said: 'He was an excellent bloke. He was the happiest guy I knew and I can't believe he's gone. He loved life and he was an inspiration to everybody.'
David Chapman, who knew Mr Skinner when he was 17, said: 'He was a lovely lad and showed a lot of kindness to my daughters.
'He won't be forgotten.'
Michelle Hayward said: 'Both myself and my brother grew up with Olly and his family. He was always smiling and had a joke to tell.
'Our thoughts are with his brother James and his mum Anne at their loss of such a happy, smiley brother and son.'
Police are not believed to be treating Mr Skinner's death as suspicious.
Would you like to pay tribute to a loved one in the Evening News? Ring reporter David Bale on 01603 772427 or email david.bale2@archant.co.uk.
