OXFORD United lost one of its most loyal supporters on Sunday when Andy James passed away after a brave fight with cancer.

Mr James, from Oxford, was known to many as 'Womble' and was a friend to everyone at the club including players, staff and other supporters.

He had an amazing 23-year run of more than 1,200 games back in 2012 and had supported the team since he was five years old, travelling up and down the country to watch games.

The superfan had grown up in Oxford and was described as ‘always up for a laugh’.

He went to school in Temple Cowley and East Oxford Secondary School before working in a number of different jobs during his life.

Mr James, who was in his mid-60s, had worked as a bindery worker at Nuffield Press, an engineering storeman at United Biscuits, a storeman at Standard Telephones and Cables and a storekeeper at County Dairies in Kidlington.

He also worked at John Young Engineering in Witney, Mayfield Press in Oxford, was a traffic warden at Oxfordshire County Council and most recently was a forklift operator at BMW.

Club Secretary Mick Brown led the tributes on Monday as the team learnt the news of ‘Womble’s’ death

Mr Brown said: “Andy was a great friend and a huge help, not just to me but to everyone at the club. His love for Oxford United was unbelievable.

“He represented the fans on the Safety Advisory Group and was a steward on the London Road Club coaches, but his involvement was far more than that.

“He was a qualified referee and he would help us with friendlies and so on - I remember him going to watch a game at Carterton and when the ref was ill we persuaded Andy to run the line: he was typically honest even if I suspect he was cheering the U’s on under his breath.”

Mr James, who was in his mid-60s, often wore a white hat and pin badges. He had fought cancer once before, but unfortunately it returned.

Knowing he had limited time, the club rallied around him and made sure he got to as many games as possible.

The Oxford Mail reported in 2012 how the BMW that Mr James travelled in suffered a puncture on the way to a football game and brought his 23-year run of more than 1,200 consecutive games to an end.

Kit manager, Jonny Edmunds, whose dad owned the car, paid tribute and said: “I think my biggest memory was that when things went quiet it was usually his voice at the back of the stand shouting ‘Come on you Lellows’; not bad for a guy who couldn’t say Y.

“A true friend to me and my family and one of the fans you knew would be there home or away.”

Mr James made such an impression on Oxford United fans that some took to Twitter to express their condolences.

Rupert Fryer, tweeted: “Gutted to hear of Andy’s passing. A true legend among Oxford fans and absolutely everyone who played amateur football in the county at some point over the last few decades.”

Richardinho said: “Terribly sad news. An #OUFC legend. No fan more dedicated than Womble. He will be missed.”