DOZENS of fans broke down in tears as flowers and football shirts were hung outside the Jack Walker Stand at Ewood after the announcement of Jack Walker's death.

Grieving fans were still visiting the stand in the early hours of today and more than 300 signed books of condolence, which were opened yesterday.

The area is to be stewarded around the clock to allow as many fans as possible to pay their respects.

One card tied to a teddy bear read: "Thanks for all of my best memories. You made a lot of people's dreams come true."

Fan Alison Keeney, who has been a season ticket holder since she was four, echoed many fans when she said: "We would never have had this stadium or won the Premiership if it hadn't been for him. He was Mr Blackburn Rovers."

Ewood steward John Doyle, said he had known Jack since he joined his father's steel firm as an apprentice in the 1960s. He said: "He was a gentleman, he was the salt of the earth. He never had a wrong word to say to anyone. He thought the world of Blackburn and of Blackburn Rovers."

David Almond, of Whitebirk, Blackburn, laid flowers as a mark of respect for the man who gave him his job back. He said he went on the dole 10 years ago when his employers, B Robinson and Co, went into receivership, but two weeks later he was back at work when Jack Walker bought the firm.

He said: "I owe him so much. I owe him my job and because I'm a fan I owe him for what he's done for us at the club."

Steven and Janine Mossop, of Beardwood, Blackburn, wept as they laid a bouquet of blue and white flowers by the Jack Walker Stand.

Steven said: "I have been a fan since we were in the Third Division and I just can't believe he's gone. We thought he was invincible."

Janine said: "He wanted pride back in Blackburn and he gave us all so much pride and hope."

Fan Philip Hodgson came from his Clitheroe home to tie his Rovers shirt to the railings with the message 'To the greatest Rover ever.'

He said: "I felt I owed it to him to come. The ground itself is a memorial to him, that's what we will remember him by."

The Jack Walker stand will be open throughout the weekend.