The family of a lifelong Liverpool fan have described him as a 'devoted grandad and father' after he passed away during Liverpool's win against Tottenham.

Will Owens, 61, from Huyton , passed away at home peacefully while watching his beloved Reds in action.

He had been suffering from prostate cancer after being first diagnosed back in November 2018.

The much loved grandad-of-five was a former Liverpool season ticket holder and had followed the reds since he was a child.

And he didn't let his diagnosis stop him from travelling to Madrid to watch his team secure European glory last year.

Will's wife described him as a "friendly fella" who went out of his way to talk to others
Will's wife described him as a "friendly fella" who went out of his way to talk to others

Gillian Owens, 61, Will's wife, described her husband as a popular "friendly fella" who would always go out of his way to talk to others.

She told the ECHO : "He was diagnosed with prostate cancer in November 2018.

"Initially we thought it was back pain related to his work when he used to lift kids into the minibus in his job as a bus driver.

"He was liked by a lot of people. He was such a friendly fella.

"He'd always speak to people even if they were total strangers. He loved getting to know people. He was so easy going.

"He was Liverpool mad ever since he was a kid. He used to go to every match and had a season ticket at one point.

Will at the Shankly memorial in Glenbuck

"He was a really good with the kids and the grandkids. He used to take the our youngest grandaughter to the pub to watch Liverpool play."

When he was told that his cancer was terminal in January 2019, Will made it his mission to watch Liverpool in another Champions League final.

She said: "It was awful news to receive. When he knew that he only had between a year and six months left he wanted to follow Liverpool all the way to the Champions League final. He was determined to go.

Will and his nephew in Madrid with their banners
Will and his nephew in Madrid with their banners

In May last year, Will's nephew drove him to Ireland where they caught a ferry to Spain and drove to Madrid.

Gillian said that he travelled to Madrid despite his doctor warning against travelling long distances.

She said: "The doctor said that a flight or a long journey would be too much for him to take but that didn't deter him. He was going to get there one way or another.

"My nephew got a camper van and drove him to Ireland where they got the ferry across to Spain and they took Huyton flags with them."

Will and Gillian Owens renewing their wedding vows
Will and Gillian Owens renewing their wedding vows

Despite not having a ticket when he set off, a family friend donated his ticket so that Will could watch the match from inside the Wanda Metropolitano stadium.

Gillian explained: "Originally, he didn't have a ticket for the final but someone gave up their ticket for him and he was able to watch the final. He was absolutely ecstatic that he got the chance to see the final.

"He was absolutely over the moon and really made up.

She added: "Afterwards he didn't shut up about it for 3 months about how he got into the ground and the journey. He wouldn't stop talking about it." 

Will was among the Liverpool fans in the Leppings Lane end at Hillsborough on 15 April 1989. The disaster had a big effect on his life and left him unable to go to games for an extended period of time.

Gillian sad that he would have been sad that he didn't get to see the team with another league title but that she was convinced he will be "watching on from somewhere".

She said: "He would have liked to have seen them win the league again. But hopefully he'll be watching on."