LOYAL City fan Colin Parker, a well-known figure at games up and down the country, has died at the age of 68.

Son Dean pays a personal tribute to the Bingley-based supporter who loved being out and about.

“We sadly lost our beloved father Colin Parker to a short cancer illness on July 11.

He leaves behind his two sons Dean and Wayne, four granddaughters Ella, Mollie, Hannah and Chloe and his sister Susan.

But being positive like him, we’d like to recognise the love that many people had for him locally in Bingley, the Aire Valley and Bradford.

As a reserved but at the same time a sociably outgoing person, he touched the hearts of many, and made many great friends over his 68 years of passion for life.

He would help anyone without hesitation, with extreme accuracy & honesty. Any aggression within him was just non-existent - apart from if his pint wasn’t topped up!

Colin loved being outside the house, seeing the faces of you all in every part of his life.

He also loved to travel the country and Europe on his football and beer excursions. His travels took him as far as Thailand visiting family.

Born in Shipley in 1956, he first lived in Saltaire village and loved to collect stamps and learn about trains as a young child.

He then later moved to Cottingley, where as a teenager one of Colin’s interests was his dark green Lambretta scooter.

He soon became a member of the Bingley Scooter Club, who they would meet outside the Midland hotel each week.

But the main part of Colin’s life was the love and devotion he had towards Bradford City, the Mighty Bantams.

He was hooked as a teenager and became a lifelong fan, and this is how most of you will remember him.

More than just a loyal season-ticket holder, he also attended many away games all over the country.

He racked up an astounding record of visiting all but one football ground in the country, Swansea.

Colin Parker was a very familiar figure around BingleyColin Parker was a very familiar figure around Bingley (Image: Facebook)

The respectful person that he is, he visited the Bradford City fire memorial each year in remembrance of those that died on May 11, 1985. Our Dad attended that match with images of the day forever etched in his mind.

Colin was also a very respected colleague of Bradford and Bingley Building Society, from the start of working life up until the day of retirement.

Displaying extreme dedication to the job throughout his working life - and being famous for his party trick of knowing the number of every branch in the country.

He often chatted with fellow colleagues sharing his love for City.

I’d like to think that anyone who crossed his path, whether that be through football, work, beer, or just out and about locally, was bumping into the “happy-chappy City Gent.”

I truly hope he inspired you in some way, and you all take his demeanor forward with you in the life you all lead ahead.

With all the love and respect to an irreplaceable father, grandad, brother and friend. Rest in peace with your 56 friends at the stadium in the sky.”