TRIBUTES have been paid to a well-known Saints fanatic, who died wearing his beloved Southampton shirt.

Former footballer Malcolm Ross wore his red and white strip as he passed away after suffering a stroke aged 56.

Friends, family and fans have paid their respects to the man known as Malc, whose dedication to Southampton FC saw him commute 6,000 miles from America for a period to watch the team’s home games.

Mr Ross, from Winchester, played for teams including Winchester City, Romsey, Andover and Sholing during the 1970s and 80s and was paid for his efforts by some clubs.

After a stint managing a pub team at Winchester’s Rising Sun, Malcolm retired from playing in his early 30s due to complications from diabetes.

That’s when his passion for Saints took another level and he became a familiar face at away matches.

Later, travelling around the world in his job as a design engineer, Mr Ross lived in countries including China, Sweden, Belgium and the United States before returning to Hampshire.

In the early 2000s he hit the headlines for taking 22-hour trips from his home in Philadelphia to attend matches at St Mary’s Stadium.

“He had absolutely insane levels of dedication, that guy, which we can obviously only aspire to, most us,” said Steve Grant, owner of the SaintsWeb fan forum.

“He’ll be fondly remembered. He was always happy to have a chat with anybody and discuss where Saints were going right and wrong at any given point in time.”

Malcolm Ross was born in Sholing on November 7, 1959. He moved to Winchester as a youngster and attended Montgomery of Alamein School, now Kings’.

After a childhood stint as an ice skater for Great Britain – which he is said to have hated – Mr Ross’ football career started with King Alfred Boys’ Club and also saw him win an inter-city trophy in Holland with Winchester City.

Sean Ross, one of Malcolm’s five children, said: “He was a very passionate man. He was one of the most passionate Saints fans I can ever remember.

“I remember him as a very respectable, kind man who was very selfless even to the end. He wanted everyone just to be happy. He didn’t care what he wanted, he just did what others wanted.”

Mr Ross died peacefully by his family’s side in Royal Hampshire County Hospital on January 13.

He leaves behind twin daughters Olivia and Dani and sons Sean, Jamie and Tom.

A funeral is being held in Southampton Crematorium, Bassett Green Road, on Friday February 5 at 11am.