A ‘KIND and generous’ football fan died after collapsing in the street, an inquest has heard.

Paul Murgatroyd, 40, of Burnley Road, Briercliffe, was well known in the town and was a passionate Clarets fan, watching the team home and away over many years.

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Such was his support of the club that his funeral cortège was allowed to make its way past the Turf Moor stadium last October, with staff at the club leaving their offices to pay their respects as it passed.

Father-of-two Mr Murgatroyd, a factory worker, had developed problems with alcohol and drugs in the years preceding his death and was a frequent visitor to the Inspire project for those with dependency issues.

A hearing at Blackburn Coroners’ Court heard Mr Murgatroyd, who was known as ‘Murgy’, was living at his father’s home at the time of his death.

He had had periods of rehab and detoxification at residential establishments but had relapsed and was drinking heavily.

His father Peter told the court he had ‘no work or relationship’ and ‘was down about life generally’.

On September 27, 2014, Paul Murgatroyd had taken his son to the Inspire project and then he had said he would make his own way home.

At 5.40pm the same, day a motorist on Colne Lane, Colne, saw Mr Murgatroyd staggering in the street before collapsing to the ground, the inquest heard.

An ambulance was called and he was taken to Royal Blackburn Hospital where it was found that he had significant swelling to the brain caused by lack of oxygen.

The inquest heard evidence that drug paraphernalia, including a needle, was found on him at the time of his collapse. He died from respiratory complications on October 6.

Speaking after the hearing, his brother-in-law Vinny Gizzi said Mr Murgatroyd was a ‘happy-go-lucky and generous man’, adding: “The family had hundreds of messages of support.”

and loving tributes to Paul after he died.

“He was a keen Burnley fans and dozens of fans on the Clarets Mad site had lovely memories of him.

“We’d also like to thank the club too as staff there left their offices to pay tribute which was a lovely gesture.”

Coroner Michael Singleton recorded a verdict of a drug-related death.