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A Liverpool FC fan folk hero has spent 12 months sleeping in a tent - in a pub beer garden - because he hasn't got enough money to live on.

Well-known Stephen Campbell, 57, ended up on the streets in April last year when he became unable to pay for his rent and monthly electricity bills.

Better known by his nickname "Jaffa" because of his ginger hair, he tries to make ends meet by selling socks, boxer shorts and tea towels in the pubs around Merseyside.

Despite being almost penniless, Jaffa has never signed on the dole.

During part of 2018 and 2019 the keen photographer, who has completed many bike rides for charity, set up a makeshift home on a patch of grass behind the Red Lion pub in Litherland, where he has lived come rain or shine.

But even these rudimentary digs look short-lived, with the landlord set to leave in the week before Christmas, making his future uncertain.

(Image: Geoff Davies)

In the last week, kind-hearted friends have paid for him to temporarily stay in bed and breakfast accommodation near Rice Lane in Walton for a few days.

And now, pals have set up an online fund to raise money so he can live in the relative warmth through the cold and wet winter months.

So far, in just 48 hours, nearly £4,000 has been raised.

Jaffa, who was born in Nottingham but later moved to Merseyside aged 12, told the ECHO: "Since the middle of April, I've been homeless.

"I used to live in a field in Litherland, but I had kids starting to cause trouble and hassle me, so when the Red Lion landlord offered his beer garden, I said yes.

"During the day I do research in the library, and then I go round the pubs and sell my stock, anything I can get from the warehouse - I cycle to Manchester once a week to get my goods.

(Image: Geoff Davies)

"Living in a tent is hard, but you get to adapt very quickly - it's got to be done.

"It's alright at times, I can cope. I can cope with anything.

"I know I've got a target to reach - I'd like to travel and see the world.

"I always try and stay optimistic and not let my morale go down, and focus on what I want to do."

In the 1970s and 1980s, Jaffa started to watch Liverpool FC home and away, and was well-known for his colourful displays of scarves and medals.

It was not uncommon for shouts of "Jaffa Jaffa" to rain down from the travelling Reds faithful.

(Image: Geoff Davies)

Friend Stephen McCarthy, who set up the Go Fund Me webpage, said: "Jaffa lost his flat a few years ago and didn’t tell anyone he had fallen on hard times.

"Instead he got a tent and sleeping bag and lived in a field in Litherland until kids starting constantly hassling him.

"Then a kind landlord heard of his problems and let him live in the back garden of the Red Lion pub.

"On 22nd Dec the landlord is leaving and Jaffa’s future is uncertain.

"He doesn’t have drug, alcohol, or mental health issues, so falls between the cracks of council support.

"He has never signed on the dole and instead, works 12 hours a days, walking round the pubs of Liverpool selling socks, towels, or boxer shorts, if he doesn’t sell his stock, he doesn’t eat.

"Most days he lives on £5 a day for food.

"Please support him, winter is coming and no one should live like this."

Jonathan Wall, who donated £100, said: "Remember fondly the chants for Jaffa on the Kop in the ‘80s and it’s a shame to see him stuck like this."

John Green, who donated £10, recalled Jaffa making an impression on a 'special' away train.

He wrote: "Remember a special back from Forest, when the train 'stopped' near Derby.

"He went around asking for 'odds' to get home, and we all helped out.

"Cracking fella, sad to see him like this."

Fellow well-wisher Peter Warburton said: "Jaffa was a legend on the Kop.

"Always saw him on the away [train] special."

You can donate to Jaffa's GoFundMe page here.