Fans pay tribute at Cottage

SILENCE fell on the Craven Cottage ground where tragic Matthew Fox's singing voice had been among the loudest.

A lone wreath placed by the 24-year-old's family and friends stood in the centre spot before the game - just a week after he died as supporters clashed at Gillingham.

During the one-minute tribute before kick-off, the players stood around the centre circle with young mascots from both teams.

The youngsters bowed their heads as the silence was impeccably observed.

Chief operating officer Kevin Keegan had spoken earlier in the week of the "pointless loss of life" of the fan, from Purley, Surrey.

In their programme notes, manager Ray Wilkins and chairman Mohammed Al Fayed spoke of the tragedy.

Peter Beardsley, who made his debut at Gillingham, said: "It was a terrible day for everybody."

The fan, known as "Foxy" to fellow fans with whom he was a cult figure, would have celebrated his 25th birthday this week.

He died of head injuries yards from the stadium amid fighting after Fulham lost 2-0.

A 30-year-old man from Kent was charged with his murder this week and has been remanded in custody.

Yesterday, Matthew's Fulham shirt was positioned by his family in the spot where he usually stood - at the heart of what they called his "beloved Hammersmith End".

"He was a joker and was loved by so many," said his family, dad Ian, mum, Pamela, and sister Bonnie.

The West London side managed to come back from behind to keep their play- off hopes intact.

Second-half strikes from Matthew Brazier and Wayne Collins, cancelled out John Macken's 32nd minute opener.

Several newspapers have reported that Mr Fox was "known" to the police's anti-hooligan unit.

But friends speaking outside the gates of the ground, said he was not a troublemaker.

Doug Fulhams, 48, a labourer from Feltham, Middlesex, said: "He was just a nice, happy-go-lucky bloke. I would often see him in the Hammersmith End singing his heart out."

John Simmons, 52, from Worcester Park, Surrey, said: "I'm still shocked, it's so sad that it's happened to a club like Fulham. The reason I started bringing my boys here is because of its safe reputation."

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