A MAN described as ‘Mr Blackburn Rovers’ and a terrace legend’ has died suddenly aged 53.

Friends have been left devastated by the death of Paul Astley who was found dead at his home.

It is thought he died from a heart attack.

Mr Astley had hardly missed a game, home or away, for the last 40 years and for decades ran both official and unofficial coach travel to matches.

He has been described as a ‘terrace legend’ by former club chairman John Williams.

While Simon Garner said Mr Astley’s dedication was always appreciated by players.

For many years he had his own travel business, PA Travel, based in Glenfield Business Park, Blackburn, which worked in partnership with Rovers.

Friend Barry Cunliffe, 54, who he sat with at Ewood Park in the Jack Walker stand, said: “He was Mr Blackburn Rovers.

“Whenever and whereever they were playing he would be there.

“That’s why he never got married, because Blackburn Rovers was his life.

“I have known him for 40 years and the club meant everything to him.”

Just last week Mr Astley qualified as a driving instructor, a career he was due to start next month although he was continuing with his travel agency online.

John Pittard, a fellow fan who has travelled the world following Rovers, said: “It is just unbelievable.

"I was so shocked when I found out. I know he had been going to the gym and I only saw him recently.

“He went to all of the games home and abroad, even pre-season tours, and was a real ‘super fan’.

“Everyone knew him. He was a top man and a massive fan.”

Mr Astley died on Wednesday at his home in Bank Hey Lane South in the Sunny Bower area of Blackburn.

Concerns were raised by his aunt Edith, his nearest relative.

It is thought he may have had a heart attack.

Mr Williams, who was chairman for 13 years until February, said: “Paul was one of the absolute diehard fans whose dedication to the club was appreciated by everyone.

“His death is a sad day for the club because it is people like him who make Rovers special.

“One of the great things about Rovers being in a small town is that there are people like Paul who epitomise how much the club means to the fans.

“He has followed the club all over the world and that sort of affinity for Rovers was fantastic.

"I wish his family my deepest sympathies.”

Simon Garner, the club’s record goalscorer, said: “Football clubs need people like Paul.

"He always followed us, wherever we played.”

Mr Astley became well-known among fans in the 1970s as the organiser of the ‘Accy Branch’ coaches.

Born and brought up in Accrington, he moved to Intack when he left home and began working at British Gas in Breightmet, near Bolton.

That was where he met fellow Rovers enthusiast Jim Wilkinson.

Mr Wilkinson, 52, said: “Many Rovers fans will remember away days he organised as long as they live.

“Paul’s death is so sad. He was so young. He was one of the club’s biggest fans.

“There will be few people who've put in as many miles and hours as Paul following Rovers, home and abroad, both competitive games and long-forgotten friendlies in the wilds of Sweden and such.

“The camaraderie and fun we had on those excursions was incomparable.

“There will be an empty seat at Goodison on Saturday and at Ewood for the rest of the season and Rovers have lost an unswervingly loyal fan, just as many of us have lost a dear old pal.”