FANS wept uncontrollably as Blackburn Rovers FC gave an emotional tribute to its number one fan before kick-off at Ewood Park on Saturday.

And after the final whistle, Uncle Jack Walker's family were applauded and given a fitting salute as sections of supporters stayed behind to pay their respects.

A strange atmosphere enveloped the ground before the game. The sea of blue and white which descended on the stadium was silent on a day when football took a back seat to the memory of the club's greatest fan and benefactor.

Supporters who trickled past the walkway outside the Jack Walker stand to view the hundreds of tributes barely spoke.

A poem, entitled 'Jack Walker -- an inadequate tribute' which was penned by a fan and read out before the game nestled among the football flags, shirts, scarves, cuddly toys and cards.

A Burnley scarf tied around the fencing had a message which read: "We may have divided loyalties but we can agree on one thing, Jack Walker loved his team like we all love ours. RIP from Burnley fans in Blackburn."

Inside the stadium 15 minutes before kick-off moving video tributes were read out on the big screen by Kenny Dalglish, who attended the game, Tim Sherwood, Jeff Kenna , Tony Parkes, Colin Hendry, Graeme Souness and Alan Shearer. Touching images of Jack seen grinning from ear to ear holding the Premiership trophy aloft when the team were crowed champions added a poignancy to the occasion and marked an end to the video tribute which saw the crowd rise as one to applaud and thank the "man of steel".

The players came on to the pitch with both sides wearing black arm bands as a mark of respect. Each Rovers player held a single red rose along with the children who held hands next to them and each was placed in the centre circle. A Norwich player laid a bouquet of flowers next to them.

Chants of "Uncle Jack's blue and white army" and "There's only one Jack Walker" followed the minute's silence which was immaculately observed before the almost secondary business of the game -- which was played in an understandably strange and subdued atmosphere. What stars said on big screen...

VIDEO tributes relayed to the crowd on the big screen before the match were led by Kenny Dalglish, who said: "Jack was a humble man who had a dream.

"He invested a lot of money in the dream that he was going to win the League Championship and he went out and did it."

Tim Sherwood said: "He was Blackburn through and through. I don't think there will ever be anyone like him again."

Jeff Kenna said: "He had no airs and graces about him. We all sorely miss him."

Tony Parkes recalled how Jack would sometimes go into the dressing room and have a bet with some of the players which he would invariably win. He added: "He was just an exceptional man."

Colin Hendry said: "No person is bigger than the football club, but Jack Walker is Blackburn Rovers Football Club.

"He has fulfilled a dream and done something that people wouldn't have thought was possible. He has given people some great times and he will be sorely missed."

Graeme Souness said: "His story will never be repeated. The people of Blackburn have been very, very fortunate."

Alan Shearer said: "Without Jack I wouldn't have been there and Kenny wouldn't have been there. It was his dream and once he won the league he wanted to win it again."