Football fans will hold a minute's applause to remember a popular roofer and keen sportsman.

The fitting tribute to Simon Taylor, from Attleborough, will happen in the 34th minute of the game between Sunderland AFC and Norwich City at the Stadium of Light tomorrow evening.

Mr Taylor, from Attleborough, died on March 6, aged 34.

He had been a Sunderland supporter since he was around 10-years-old, despite the majority of his family following the Canaries.

His cousin, Lorenzo Mann, from Australia, published a Facebook post on Friday asking for Sunderland supporters to perform a minute's applause in memory of Mr Taylor.

It has since been shared by thousands of people.

Stepfather Stuart Sidell, 61, from The Street in Brooke, described his stepson as 'one of life's good ones'.

He said: 'I am astounded by the amount of support we have had from Sunderland supporters. It is times like this when the football world comes good.'

He added the response had also been big from Norwich fans.

Mr Sidell said his wife, Jeanette Sidell, 57, who was Mr Taylor's mother, was 'overwhelmed' by the reaction to the post.

He added: 'It shows how popular he was. Simon was a lovely guy. He would do anything for anyone. He was such fun to be around.

'The banter we used to have was so good. He didn't have a bad bone in his body.'

The 61-year-old said his stepson struggled for several years with depression and anxiety.

Because of that, Mr Taylor was keen to raise awareness of mental health issues.

The 34-year-old, who ran his own roofing firm, was born in Bungay but spent most of his life in Attleborough.

He had played for Attleborough Town Football Club for several years as a striker and was a keen golfer at Barnham Broom and Eaton golf clubs.

Mr Sidell said the football club was planning on holding a charity golf day in his memory.

'Football was one of the major loves in his life.'

He added his stepson had a good reputation in the roofing trade and more than 300 people attended his funeral.