Stay in control of the latest Blues news with our Everton newsletter Sign up now Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Tributes have been paid to a ‘wonderful’ dad who died after a suspected heart attack at Goodison Park.

Derek Acker, 51, from Childwall, fell ill during Everton’s match against Stoke City on Saturday.

Mr Acker had held a season ticket at Goodison for more than 30 years.

He was taken to Aintree Hospital where he sadly passed away.

His daughter Grace posted on Twitter: “My lovely dad was the fan who passed away at Goodison today. Thank you to the stewards and paramedics. Thanks for the tweets also xx.

“My wonderful dad was a mad Evertonian who held a season ticket for over thirty years, I appreciate all the lovely messages I’ve gotten.”

Mr Acker fell ill in the Sir Philip Carter Park Stand at about 4.15pm.

Paramedics, police, stewards and an off duty doctor were praised for their efforts in trying to resuscitate him.

Greg O’Keeffe, an ECHO reporter at the match, described how fans in the Park End stand were “applauding now as the paramedics carry the fan away on a stretcher. Almost the whole stand are standing and applauding”.

Football fans and legends, both Reds and Blues, marked their respect for Mr Acker.

Former Liverpool striker Robbie Fowler tweeted: “No one should go the match and not come home! RIP to the @Everton fan who passed away yesterday, thoughts with his family an friends.”

Tributes also poured in for the 51-year-old on the ECHO Facebook page, from fans across the world.

Becca Murph said: “So sad, hopefully his family will take comfort knowing that he died watching the team he most probably loved and winning at that.”

Pat Long commented: “Such sad news but heartwarming for the family to think he was doing something he loved in his final hours, watching his favourite team. RIP.”

Mike Dodd said: “From a red to a blue nobody deserves to go to a game and not come home R.I.P”

Everton went on to win the match 1-0.

A club spokesman said they would “provide all the support possible” to Mr Acker’s family.

Everton FC said: “Everton is deeply saddened to report that the 51-year-old fan taken ill during today’s game against Stoke City has passed away in hospital.

“The thoughts and prayers of everybody at the football club are with his family and friends.

“The fan, who was seated in the Sir Philip Carter Park Stand for the game, became unwell just after 4.15pm. Police officers, an off duty doctor and paramedics performed CPR on the supporter prior to the arrival of an ambulance.

“The Club will continue to provide all the support possible to the family.”