Town have announced that long-serving disability liaison officer Warner Duff died last night, aged 61.

A familiar face around the club for more than 20 years, Duff won a number of awards while at Portman Road.

He was named the Football League’s Fan of the Year in 2009 having been nominated by then-manager Jim Magilton, while in the same year he was voted Club Employee/Volunteer of the Year by the the National Association of Disabled Supporters. Also in 2009 he was a runner-up in ITV’s Pride of Britain awards.

Duff ran the club’s disabled football team and was Town's first Community Champion, leading the teams out on the opening day of the 2016/17 season ahead of the 4-2 victory over Barnsley.

"“I was privileged to have worked alongside Warner for over 15 years and in that time I got to witness what an incredible guy he was,” Town’s head of ticketing Donna Powell told the club site.""“

Any supporter that needed help in any way to attend a game would be directed to Warner and he would always go out of his way to assist. It’s no surprise that he won awards.""

“On behalf of all the staff at Ipswich Town, I would like to pass on our deepest condolences to Warner’s family and friends at this very sad time.”

Warner was more than a colleague to the ticketing team and we are heartbroken to have lost one of our own. His dedication and passion to help people is an example to us all.

Rest in peace Warner, we will always miss you 💙 https://t.co/SXBPdDFxgK– Ipswich Town FC Tickets (@ITFC_Tickets) June 4, 2019

Such sad news. Such a lovely person who did so much for ITFC and our disabled fans. He always had time to help everyone. I will miss you Warner - it was a pleasure to know you and work with you. RIP https://t.co/I2JTQxV1aB– Liz Edwards ITFC SLO (@ITFC_SLO) June 4, 2019

Incredibly sad news to share with the wider #ITFC family.

Warner was a dear colleague to all at the Club, and known to a huge amount of fans, Clubs and the general football family. His lovable personality and selfless nature will never be forgotten.

Rest in peace, Warner 💙 https://t.co/ZB0k6va2qc– ITFCShop.com (@ITFC_PlanetBlue) June 4, 2019

This is very sad news. My good mate Adey Yates when suffering from his own health issues was superbly assisted by Warner who asked about Adey's health and was very sad to hear of Adey's passing. RIP old son. https://t.co/gBKb2oyitJ– Ian Davies (@loftedondrive) June 4, 2019

Everyone at Ipswich Town FC Women would like to pass on their condolences to Warner’s family & friends at this incredibly sad time.

R.I.P Warner 💙 https://t.co/UJUVHCY526– Ipswich Town FC Women (@ITFCWomen) June 4, 2019

The Bury St Edmunds Branch of the ITFC Supporters Club are very saddened to hear this news this evening. RIP Warner - a very lovely man who worked very hard to help others. A real Gent.– ITFC Supporters Bury (@itscburysteds) June 4, 2019

Very sad news, Warner was an absolute Gentleman. RIP Warner https://t.co/Bkqiltznxa– Simon Milton (@Milts25) June 4, 2019

Rest in Peace Warner💙from all of us from ITSCON. https://t.co/kreYX9w1Xq– Ipswich Town Norway (@Official_ITSCON) June 4, 2019

In Terms of Sadness and upset/ grief, thinking of Not Just Myself , But of All known to me fellow Ipswich fan friends that knew him well and felt, his touch, sincerity ,Generosity and Warmth..,...This for some of us may take a while to get used to. RIP Warner.,RIP AMAZING Man.

— Tom Tomalin (@TTomalin) June 4, 2019

Photo: ITFC

WarkTheWarkITFC added 16:56 - Jun 4 I don't think I have ever heard of a single ITFC fan that went to him with an issue that he didn't resolve above and beyond what they had expected. RIP.
7

DebsyAngel added 17:06 - Jun 4 What terribly sad news. Know a few friends who he helped and he was a lovely man. RIP Warner xx
5

Sporall added 17:09 - Jun 4 Very sad news. Rest in peace Warner.
5

BlueandTruesince82 added 17:15 - Jun 4 Sounds like a real club man to me. RIP
5

tearsofthetown added 17:24 - Jun 4 I am saddened by the news of Warners` passing. My condolences are sent to Warners` partner and family at this time of great loss. As a disabled supporter myself, i had many dealings with Warner over the years. He was a truly nice man. He had that lovely warmth of the Scots and, was of great help too me and others. He was one of those whom after meeting, people would say what a nice man. He was the best and a great man. Of that there is no doubt. Rest in peace my friend.

7

sushiboy added 17:28 - Jun 4 That's very sad news indeed. I met him several times times - he was so helpful getting my disabled mother organised for her first ever Town match... at the age of 80. A top guy.
4

gb1950 added 17:33 - Jun 4 Very sad news as a disabled supporter I could only attend games with Warner's help wonderful man
5

fergalsharkey added 18:23 - Jun 4 Warner was a kind and helpful guy, old school and done more for this club than most realise. Truly saddened by this. RiP sir
4

therein61 added 18:29 - Jun 4 This man did so much good work over and above the call of duty helping people, another sad loss!!
4

coolcat added 18:36 - Jun 4 Very sad news. Thoughts and prayers with his family. 💐
4

lightingblue added 18:39 - Jun 4 On a personal note, I had the privilege to meet Warner though a couple of close friends who have disabilities and this guy with how he dealt with people from all walks of life was something else. He could not do enough for anybody no matter of who they were, their disability and whatever club they supported he went above and beyond. People like Warner are what made this club great and made the match day easy and enjoyable for all both at home and away games. People like Warner are difficult to find nowadays. He has a special place at the club and is up there with the best of them. May god bless your soul.

9

BlueArrow added 19:22 - Jun 4 Always sad to lose a Blue. My thoughts go out to his family and friends. RIP Warner.
3

cobsy69 added 19:41 - Jun 4 When I took some of my customers from day centre were i used to work for a tour on an open day, Warner was our point of contact with the club, he was excellent at his job and a really nice man, condolences to family and friends RIP .
4

powinswitch added 19:44 - Jun 4 An absolute gent, who I had the privilege to know a little. Warner was ex Navy, and as an ex squaddie, we enjoyed some proper inter service banter. My thoughts are with his wife Debbie, his family, his good friend Russell, and all those who had the honour to know such a wonderful man. You can stand down now Warner, your service to your country, and our football club is done, and we thank you for the wonderful way you went about it.

5

TractorRoyNo1 added 19:59 - Jun 4 a True Blue - RIP
3

Dozzells_Bobblehat added 20:09 - Jun 4 Helped my dad out on numerous occasions. Top bloke and will be sorely missed. Condolences to his family and friends.
3

ITFCsince73 added 20:15 - Jun 4 A great friend of mine broke his back some years ago. And being a true blue he attends as many games as possible, that being only 2/3 games a season, in recent seasons. With my assistance. But we could always depend on Warner to sort the tickets, and parking just up the road. A great man. And Town through and through.
2

ollie_smith2001 added 21:06 - Jun 4 Warner was a true gent I was lucky enough to have known some years ago. Always went above and beyond to help everyone around him - the Club, and the country, is a sadder place without him. My thoughts go out to Debbie and his family. RIP Warner.
2

Jamiebed added 22:04 - Jun 4 Just walked down Portman Road on way to station. It was eerily quiet but floodlights shone, which somehow seemed a fitting tribute to Warner, a proper ITFC legend. Warm, caring, efficient and always sorting me out with a wry smile at my infuriating ticketing shenanigans. Over the past few seasons it has been the people behind the scenes, rather than the football, that has made PR a good place to be, and Warner was chief among them. Love and thoughts to Debbie and family. RIP Warner.

4

OldClactonBlue added 22:05 - Jun 4 Very sad news indeed. RIP Warner.
2

TR11BLU added 11:21 - Jun 5 Had occasion to contact him once for a disabled friend and he sorted everything with no fuss. Top man. Forever Blue - RIP
1

runningout added 11:35 - Jun 5 upsetting RIP Warner
1

ChateauWines added 14:05 - Jun 5 Warner was clearly an incredibly kind and generous man who helped many many fans. RIP sir
0

whosroundisitanyway added 16:25 - Jun 5 Thank you for all the help you have given us Warner. Sadly missed. R.I.P.
0

garrodm1 added 16:41 - Jun 5 good man Warner R I P old buddy
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