LOVING tributes have been paid following the death of a legendary Brentford supporter who collapsed on his way to the team's final home game of the season on Saturday.

Graham Haynes, a 62-year-old lifelong Bees fan and author of several books on the club, suffered a suspected heart attack as he walked along Ealing Road to Griffin Park at around 1.30pm.

The dad-of-two, who lived in Hampshire, received treatment by the roadside and was rushed by ambu-lance to West Middlesex Hospital, but died an hour later.

He leaves behind wife Janet, sons Ian and Stephen, sister Pauline and twograndchildren.

Messages of support have been paid all week as a shocked community comes to terms with the death of the popular figure - who had established himself as the club's resident historian.

"This is a trulygreat loss to Brentford FC and to so many others," said close family friend and fellow fan Geoff Buckingham, who co-wrote The Brentford Story with Graham.

"He was what supporting a football club is all about. He was a Brentford legend and set a fantastic example. He is irreplaceable."

Geoff revealed the veteran writer had been battling a serious heart problem for more than 17 years.

He had undergone a triple by-pass operation in 1992,but only after delaying surgery so he could attend Brentford's famous promotion-winning victory at Peterborough earlier that season.

Graham collaborated on or wrote books including Three Visits to Wembley, A-Z of Bees and the club bible 100 Years of Brentford, as well as making regular contributions to match-day programmes.

"His output was prolific, in volume and quality, and he had a wonderful way of bringing his articles to life with witty turns of phrase," added Geoff.

The respected author was known for his generosity of time and resources, anonymously putting up money for youngsters to join the club and fostering problem teenagers.

Brentford FC said his death heralded the 'end of an era'.

"It was his knowledge of the club that had been gleaned from his incredible collection of over a century of press cuttings that had made him the font of all knowledge as far as Brentford Football Club was concerned," added a spokesman.

"Graham has left an indelible mark on his beloved Brentford and I believe we will never see his like again."

Graham's 36-year-old son Ian - who lives in Northern Ireland - thanked everyone who had paid tribute to his dad.

He told the Chronicle: "The family has been amazed by the number of people from Brentford who have made comments on forums, websites and in emails.

"It has helped us at this difficult time to see that so many people were affected by my dad."