A MINUTE'S applause is due to be held during AFC Bournemouth's match against West Ham on Saturday in tribute to a lifelong Cherries fan.

Jamie Bird, from Pokesdown, who had a brain tumour, passed away at the Macmillan Unit at Christchurch Hospital on Sunday.

He was diagnosed around two years ago and, at the time, was given just six months to live. However, Jamie, who worked as a painter and decorator, defied the doctor's prognosis and was only admitted to hospital for palliative care in October.

The 31-year-old even welcomed his third child, Amelia, into the world, around four weeks ago.

Jamie's brother, Luke, 37, has organised a minute's applause for the 31st minute of Saturday's game in his memory.

He has been spreading the word on social media and hopes as many Cherries fans as possible will join in with the tribute at Vitality Stadium.

He said the response since he posted about the plan on Thursday morning had been "incredible".

"I know many fans often organise a minute's applause in someone's memory. It seems to be quite a new thing so I thought I'd do the same and see what the reaction would be.

"All his life Jamie supported the Cherries. He went to the League One and League Two games and then, after they were promoted to the Premier League, he would often take his frustrations out on Facebook when he couldn't get tickets. He did get given a few tickets by Macmillan last year.

"One of the last games he went to he met Eddie Howe and all the players, and he and his son, Dylan, got their shirts signed."

He added: "I can't believe the amount of messages I've received since posting about the minute's applause – it's incredible. A lot of people have shared the post." Jamie was "very well liked by everyone" and an "all round nice guy", Luke said.

"He was a great brother. He loved his kids. He loved his wife, Alice. He loved football. And everyone loved him.

"He fought bravely against the cancer, and when he and Alice had Amelia we called her the 'miracle baby'."

A fundraising page has been set up to help cover the costs of Jamie's funeral. It can be found at justgiving.com/crowdfunding/jamiebird