Alasdair Ross, reproduced from his From Portman Road to the San Siro blog.

Saturday 9 November 2013, Histon 1 Vauxhall Motors 2, Conference North - Glassworld Stadium

Football has the ability to make you laugh, smile, cry, following a team can get you to feel all those emotions - even in a space of a few minutes.

Yesterday, two of us had morning commitments so we could not make the trip to Blackpool to see Ipswich play so to get our football fix we took the short trip up the A14 to see Histon take on Vauxhall Motors, whilst our mate Kempy took the train north.

The rest of the report should be about the neat ground, the two Vauxhall players booked for fighting each other and then Histon taking the lead before Vauxhall got their act together and ended up winning 2-1 giving myself and my mate Colin an entertaining afternoon, but instead the game was just the start of an evening of mixed emotions.

At the end of the game we rushed to the club bar to see how Ipswich were doing - emotion of surprise as we were still winning 2-1 but within seconds, we saw that Blackpool had drawn level - so 91 minutes and 2-2 but then 93 minutes and we were winning again.

A quick text to our mate Kempy in Blackpool and he replied "Won!!!". So we drove away happy - 90 minutes later and our emotions are very different, Kempy had collapsed in Blackpool and died.

Shock is the emotion I felt followed by anger and sadness, football was why we had become friends but we had stayed close friends with football just getting in the way, players and managers often get the title legend, many do not deserve it but when it comes to supporters - Kempy was an ITFC legend.

Kempy, left, with Alasdair

The away matches were a social occasion and football was just a small part of that day - Kempy was fun, intelligent, knowledgeable and loyal.

His views on modern football were obvious when you knew what he liked best - it was spending a cold December up at the training ground, with 20 other fans watching the Academy - no flash cars, big egos - just pure simple football.

Football for me will never be the same again - Michael Kemp RIP.

There’s a thread regarding Kempy on the TWTD board here, while Tyrone Mings and Paul Anderson have paid their tributes on Twitter, as have the club and Blackpool.

Sad to hear the news about the @Official_ITFC fan who passed away at the Blackpool game yday. Thoughts are with the family x– Paul Anderson (@P18NDO) November 10, 2013

Thoughts are with the Ipswich fan's family who tragically died from a heart attack on the way home from Blackpool yesterday. Horrific news 😔– Tyrone Mings (@tyronemings1) November 10, 2013

MICHAEL KEMP: The Club would like to pass on their deepest condolences to the family of Michael Kemp, who tragically passed away on Saturday

— Ipswich Town FC (@Official_ITFC) November 11, 2013

Blackpool FC would like to pass on condolences to the family of @Official_ITFC supporter Michael Kemp, who sadly passed away on Saturday.

— Blackpool FC (@BFC1887) November 11, 2013

Photo: Action Images

StanwayTractorboy added 20:58 - Nov 10 Hard not to get choked up reading this. I didnt know the man but thoughts and condolences go out to his family. RIP Michael Kemp.
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co12blue added 21:02 - Nov 10 RIP Mr Kemp :-( x
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gainsboroughblue added 21:07 - Nov 10 RIP Kempy. Never to be forgotten. As a youth, I remember several 'rites of passage' beer sessions and leg pulling with him, Sladey and others. Truly a sad day, we have lost another great character.
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Jamiebed added 21:16 - Nov 10 Thanks Alasdair, lovely words that do justice to Kempy. RIP.
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Canadafan added 21:21 - Nov 10 My thoughts are with his family and friends...
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chippyblue added 21:26 - Nov 10 So sad to read this story ' RIP kempy ""Thoughts are with your family
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tractorboyz82 added 21:34 - Nov 10 Didn't know him personally but knew who he was R.I.P sleep tight Tractorboy
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blueboy1981 added 21:39 - Nov 10 So, so sad to hear this news - didn't know this guy personally, but he was an ITFC brother of us all. He obviously left us as a happy man. God Bless Him - sincere condolences to his Family - and may he R.I.P.
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sjbare added 21:40 - Nov 10 As a season ticket holder at ITFC , I think the least we can do is a see following Facebook status Steve Bareham one minute of applause before the Leicester game , It's the least we can do Ipswich Town Football Club (Official) Ipswich Town F.C. Ipswich Town Pro .... Like · Reply · 2 · 36 minutes ago
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Ipswich24 added 21:43 - Nov 10 RIP Kempy, I agree with sjbare a minutes applause
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Happy2bBlue added 21:56 - Nov 10 Really sorry to hear this news, he was clearly well liked and passionate about the town. A minutes applause as a mark of respect to a loyal football man taken too soon would seem appropriate. I'm sure this would be appreciated by those who knew him and his family. May he rest in peace.
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Tonyitfc82 added 22:01 - Nov 10 I agree with sjbare to. a minutes applause before Leicester game. RIP kempy.
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Dozzells_Bobblehat added 22:03 - Nov 10 Terrible tragedy, condolences to his friends and family. Really pleased the boys got him a win. Think a minutes applause is a great idea.
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hulltractor added 22:08 - Nov 10 Had some entertaining pre and post match drinks and chats with Kempy over the years. Very sad news. RIP mate.
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Michael11 added 22:11 - Nov 10 What a tragic end to a fantastic result. It's things like that which puts things into perspective, who cares if we win or lose? Life is the most important thing. I didn't know him but if it was me then i'd like people to think 'well at least that thrilling ITFC last minute winner was the last game i saw'. Hopefully his friends and family will take comfort knowing that he died doing what he loved and was on his way home, a very happy man! RIP mate.

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itfchorry added 22:32 - Nov 10 He followed the Town up and Down and everybody called him Kempy. So going to miss you - Forever in our thoughts
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hollywoodginge added 22:59 - Nov 10 Awfully sad news, if the club are unable to arrange one, and I don't know if there may be something that prevents them from doing so, then us fans should organise one, pick a minute in the match, try and get it publicised and all stand and applaud the loss of one of us. I will end with stating that my genuine heartfelt sympathy and thoughts are with his family and friends at this time. Sleep well Michael Kemp RIP xx

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dangerous30 added 23:12 - Nov 10 Rip michael kemp and thoughts and prayers go out to family and friends.
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towngirl13 added 23:15 - Nov 10 I have known michael a long time as we went to the same school l went to school he will be missed. God bless RIP.x
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MVBlue added 00:05 - Nov 11 Sad to hear but he sounds like a legend. Its right to pay respects when he passed on being on an Ipswich Town football trip.
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debenturedave added 00:11 - Nov 11 RIP Kempy . A minutes applause is the least OUR club should do, and if they don't organise it, I am sure the fans will do it anyway !
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trncbluearmy added 05:45 - Nov 11 RIP KEMPY The Northstand Salutes You Micky
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cyprustractorboy added 07:05 - Nov 11 RIP KEMPY Tractor boys and girls are all family love and respect from cyprustractorboy
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DiamondGezzer added 08:03 - Nov 11 Sadly I didn't know him personally, but as one of the ITFC FAMILY I feel this loss. RIP Kempy.
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TR11BLU added 08:59 - Nov 11 RIP fellow Blue.
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