What can I say, one of the nicest guys i've ever met. A true gentleman and a legend in his own right!!! I hope that you rest peacefully!!!! you will be missed by everyone that knew you. A great man, a great friend and generally a great person. gonna miss you big man............gone but never forgotten. all my love jimmy xxx

Fairy

It was an absolute pleasure to have known you and an honour to call you my friend.

My heart goes out to the Fairbrother family and to the lost boy's .

I'll miss the mickey taking in the dressing room and your infectious smile.

R.I.P Big Man. X

I really can't get over the news, it's only the other day I had the picture of us with the league and cup double and I was thinking how good would it be for us all to get back together. Great times that team had and u was a backbone of it. Your news spread quickly and shows how many friends and people's life's you touched. My thoughts are with Dan and the rest of traveling friends. Steves family my thoughts are with you.Great gentleman, great footballer, deeply missed.RIP FAIRYAshley

I am so terribly sorry to hear this aweful news.

I met steve on the Kiwi Experience bus in September. We had a unique bunch of people who had such a laugh- which steve was central in.

Apart from that, I can only echo everyone else's sentiments by saying that he was an absolute joy to spend time with. A bloke with a heart of gold.

My thoughts and best wishes go to your family and 4 compadres.

Jonny

so sorry to hear this news, top top top man, great laugh at footy, and will be sorely missed, r.i.p fairy lad

A quick update for you guys - My mum took a call from Keith earlier, him and Kathy are flying back to the UK and should be back sometime tomorrow afternoon/evening depending on the connection from CDG in Paris.

Stephen should then be repatriated sometime on Saturday.

Even though we've spoken to Keith on the phone, precise details are still a bit sketchy because Keith and Kathy are obviously in absolute pieces and distraught at this time and pressing them for details isn't really constructive at the minute.

They are however aware of the amount of goodwill messages that have been left on here in Stephen's memory and are thankful for the support at this most difficult of times.

I'm sure Keith and Kathy will respond themselves upon their return to the UK.

It was my absolute privilege to know Stephen. His ever-bright character meant he really was a pleasure to know. Very simply, he was a wonderful bloke to be able to call a friend.

I feel lucky to have met Stephen at university, and to have shared the sports field alongside him. All the tributes here show how deeply people valued his friendship, and how much he is cherished as he will be missed.

I know that one part of travelling is the way it bonds the group you are with. As such, I am thinking of you all, boys. Even though I can't properly imagine your grief, I can try and share it a little.

My thoughts are for Stephen, and sincere sympathies to his family and his many, many friends.

Dr. B

words cannot describe what an amazing and genuine person we have lost! my thoughts and best wishes are with fairy's family and every other person who was privilaged enough to know him.

i remember the last time i saw fairy - just a couple of weeks before he went off travelling under the stars...and now he has become one.

rest in peace fairy. you will be forever missed.

xxxxxx

r.i.p..fairy, you were such a quality lad.

Im so glad to have known you and fortunate to have played football with you.

rest in peace mate!!

Fairy, you'll be so sadly missed, I am shocked and distraught to hear this news. I'll have such fond memories.

To Steve's family, he really was credit to you.

Suzie xxx

The tragic news has reached Cogenhoe Football Club this morning, Steve was loved so much by so many at our club too, a true gentleman in sport. Our club mourns along with Steve's family, we will mark our respects on Saturday too.

Steve, you are in our thoughts and prayers.

RIP

RIP fairy, you were a true legend who would always put others first, you were an amzing person as well as a great friend!

David Brent was asked how he would like to be remembered, and he replied, 'Simply, as, the man who put a smile on the face of all who he met'.

That is definitely the way you will be remembered my friend. I hope you are looking down on us as we will always be looking up at you.

miss you mate x