A man who died after being hit by a train at the weekend has been described as a ‘caring and loving person’ who ‘will always be loved.’

Neil Skipper, 30, was hit by a train near Putney on Saturday evening after he left his house in Thornton Heath.

Mr Skipper, who worked at Croydon Council, was a passionate Fulham supporter and had a season ticket at the club.

Friends and family have all spoken of their devastation of Mr Skipper’s death and already more than £1,300 has been raised for the charity Missing People in memory of Mr Skipper.

The charity, along with the police, sent out appeals to help find the 30-year-old before it was known he had died.

Phil Skipper, his dad, said his son will always be loved and always be missed. He said they had received tremendous support from friends, family and the Fulham Football Club community.

He also thanked Croydon Police and British Transport Police for their work and support over the past few days.

Writing on a Fulham fans forum, Phil Skipper said: “Neil grew up under the shadows of Selhurst Park, but there was only going to be one team for him, Fulham.

“I shall never forget my pride when seeing him at primary school, the only white shirt in a sea of Palace, Chelsea or Manu strips.

“One of his most treasured things was a framed montage of cuttings and pictures from that night in Hamburg, him in the centre with his scarf. I shall treasure to the day I die.

“On Saturday night Neil made the journey we have made hundreds of times from Croydon to Putney to end his life. If only I'd stopped him.

“RIP Neil, we have lost a wonderful son, me my best friend and for all of us a fellow Fulham nut. I don't know what I'll do next season, one thing for certain if I can stomach going I shall be keeping his ticket, I couldn't stand a stranger in his seat next to me.”

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Fulham fans united in sending sympathies to Neil Skipper's family.

John Barber, a close friend of Mr Skipper’s for more than 20 years, said it was a terrible tragedy and his friend will be greatly missed.

He said: “Such a terrible tragedy. My good friend had so much more to look forward to in his life.

“You will be really missed and I will always look back with fondness on all the times we laughed together, travelled and watched Fulham play.

“It was an honour to call you my friend for the past 20 years and may God bless your family at this tragic time.”

Sami Cetin, another friend, added: “"I have known Neil for nearly 20 years and he was a lovely friend.

“We had so many laughs on nights out, day events with our other friends, days back at the gym, and countless other moments.

“Neil had a heart of gold and was a caring, loving person and I simply cannot believe he is gone. I would have loved to have seen us all grow older together with him and experience all the things life has in store for the future.

“Neil will be missed always and never forgotten; my prayers go to his family and all friends.”

Clair Norville, who worked with Mr Skipper, said everyone is in shock and finding it difficult to come to terms with what happened.

To donate to the Missing People Charity in memory of Neil Skipper, visit justgiving.com/neilskipper.