A well-known figure on the local sports scene and Croydon Football Club's photographer, Dave West had a "heart of gold."

Named locally as the man who died at East Croydon station on January 29, an outpouring of support has been given to the late 58-year-old.

Simon Hawkins knew Mr West for 30 years and talked glowingly of the man he called friend.

"He was a keen supporter of the lower profile sports played in the Croydon area and was also an excellent amateur photographer who could have easily have made it his profession if he was so minded," Mr Hawkins said.

"He was enthusiastic and gregarious by nature, he was inclined to be cheeky, making friends easily and was always good company.

"Dave also had the proverbial heart of gold and would do anything for anybody."

Born near Ashford in Kent, his father Arthur, a former guardsman, played football for Folkestone Invicta.

Dave had a similar passion for the game but was perhaps not blessed with the physical attributes to follow in his father’s footsteps as a player. Once he moved to the Croydon area he became an avid supporter of Croydon FC where he served on the committee, ran the club shop and, of course, was for many years the club’s official photographer.

Although he had a passion for music, including northern soul and rockabilly, it was his love for sport for which many will remember him.

"In addition to his support of Croydon FC he was also a recognisable face at all the other local grounds, often taking photographs," Mr Hawkins said.

"And his interests didn’t stop there.

"He was a dedicated reader of sporting biographies, loved cricket and speedway and was a devotee of both the now defunct Thornton Heath based rugby league side South London Storm and also the Streatham Redhawks (formerly Streatham Redskins) ice hockey team."

He did have a “big” club - Leeds United - and his photographs were regularly published especially in the non-league periodical 'Team Talk'.

Unmarried, he is survived by his sisters and their family.

Dave West: February 21, 1959 – January 29, 2018.