Town fan Phil Coppeard has been confirmed as among those who died during the Christchurch earthquake. Phil, 41, had only recently emigrated to New Zealand with his wife Suzanne Craig.

Originally from Newmarket, Phil had been missing since leaving to travel to Canterbury University where he had just started studying for a Master's in economics and was in the centre of Christchurch at the time of the quake.

In a statement, the family said: "He was a very generous spirit, always keen to be involved in the community and charity events. His death is a tragedy at the start of an exciting new life in New Zealand.

"We take comfort in the support we've had from family and friends throughout the world - he touched so many lives."

Jon Craig, the Supporters’ Club’s overseas branch co-ordinator, was a friend of Phil’s and told TWTD last week: “Phil was one of our regular gang and had a ten-year season ticket when the debentures were being sold in 2003.

“He moved from London to work in Dubai around five years ago and donated his season ticket - completely free of charge - to the North of England Branch.

“We sold the season ticket at a discount to our members and the sums raised from its sale were a major contributor towards funds used to sponsor Jordan Rhodes and thereafter Ronan Murray.

“Phil posted on TWTD many times, mainly around the period 1999 to 2006 under the name Cambridge8.”

Prior to moving to New Zealand for a career break, Phil worked as a chartered accountant at KPMG and then in aviation finance for Babcock Brown in London and Dubai for around 10 years.

Town are auctioning a shirt worn by Tommy Smith and signed by his team-mates to raise money for the Red Cross's New Zealand Earthquake Appeal.

Photo: Action Images

hmhb added 17:44 - Mar 7 any chance of a minutes silence tomorrow?
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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 17:48 - Mar 7 Talk about an unlucky throw of the dice. I am very sorry for his family.
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KangarooBlue added 17:49 - Mar 7 RIP Phil Coppeard
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Garv added 17:50 - Mar 7 @hmhb - a good idea but I can't see it happening to be honest. Rest in peace Phil.
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KembleBlue added 17:52 - Mar 7 Think a moments pause would be very well respected by both sets of fans, sorry for your loss Coppeard family, may he RIP.
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TractorCam added 17:53 - Mar 7 Rest In Peace Phil :(
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Bluefish added 17:58 - Mar 7 I remember Cambridge8, R.I.P. Phil. Say hi to Sir Bob from us all
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runaround added 18:02 - Mar 7 Sad news. My thoughts are with his friends and family
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Manic_Blue added 18:05 - Mar 7 Met him a few times, really nice guy. Condolences to all his family and friends, he'll be missed.
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reesoid added 18:09 - Mar 7 R.I.P. A minutes silence and black arm bands for the players out of respect, I thinks in order
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pitseablue added 18:13 - Mar 7 R.I.P Phil...My thoughts are with his family. Never met him ..but sounds like a nice guy.
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Ipswich24 added 18:17 - Mar 7 R.I.P Phil condolenses to all family and friends
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rayman_10 added 18:19 - Mar 7 Very sad, R.I.P Phil, thoughts are with your friends and family.
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dazz added 18:25 - Mar 7 R.I.P Phil.
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Plums added 18:28 - Mar 7 Really sad news. All the best to Phil's family.
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exeterblu added 18:29 - Mar 7 RIP Phil. Our thoughts are with your family and friends.
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underthesun666 added 18:38 - Mar 7 RIP Phil may you long support town up in the skies.
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I_8_NARWICH added 18:38 - Mar 7 R.I.P Phil hope we will give you a win tomorow night, thoughts with family and friends
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itfcserbia added 18:38 - Mar 7 R.I.P. All the best to Phil's family from Serbia
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jas0999 added 18:50 - Mar 7 Very sad news. Puts football and petty disagreements on here into perspective. Thoughts are very much with his family.
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Frankley_Blue added 18:53 - Mar 7 RIP Phil. It does indeed put football and petty squabbling in to perspective....
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langeydong added 18:57 - Mar 7 Can someone talk to the club about a minutes silence? I think it's absolutely possible.
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reuser90 added 19:00 - Mar 7 so sorry to hear this,thoughts go out to his family and freinds.
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Youth added 19:02 - Mar 7 R.I.P Phil condolenses to all family and friends
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s6blue added 19:05 - Mar 7 nature can be such a cruel cruel thing. we are of course all friends on here so from all your friends may we hope you rest in peace
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