WANDERERS fans are being encouraged to applaud in the 63rd minute of Saturday's match against Brighton in memory of club chairman Phil Gartside, who died on Wednesday.

Tributes have continued to pour in for 63-year-old Mr Gartside, led by manager Neil Lennon, and fans have been urged to pay their respects during the game.

A wider public memorial event is also being prepared to allow fans to pay tributes following a private family funeral.

Mr Gartside died surrounded by his family at his home in Cheshire, after a short battle with cancer.

A book of condolence has been placed at the Macron Stadium, and floral tributes have been laid including a wreath on behalf on the club, which read: “In memory of Phil Gartside, chairman of Bolton Wanderers Football Club.

“Passed away on February 10, 2016. All our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time.”

Flags flew at half-mast outside the stadium in respect to Mr Gartside, who stepped down from the club three months ago.

At a press conference yesterday Mr Lennon said he was devastated and remembered the Leigh-born chairman as a good friend.

He said: “We are all devastated. We knew Phil was ill for quite a long time. But being the person he is he battled through a lot longer than people thought he probably would do. But it is still a shock when it comes.

“He was a very good friend to me. He was well thought of and had a fantastic time here, presiding over the best years in the club’s history. He is a huge loss to us all.”

Mr Lennon said that it felt odd not seeing Mr Gartside — who joined the Wanderers board in 1989 and became chairman in 1999 — in and around the club.

He said: “It was strange not seeing his black BMW parked outside every morning. He would probably be the last person to leave at night.

“At times I felt he worked too hard. But he gave everything to the club, certainly in the time I was here I got to know him well and how much Bolton meant to him. He leaves a great legacy."

Club chaplain Phil Mason, the only full time chaplain in English football, said the outpouring of well wishes to Mr Gartside had been “tremendous”.

He said: “We have been overwhelmed by the response there has been, and encouraged as well.

“There have been mixed messages about Phil as a man, and people had their opinions of him as he had opinions of everybody else, but it's good to see that people have recognised what he has achieved and what he has done for this club and the town.

“He was a real character, you could have a good laugh with him. He always joked: ‘Here comes the vicar’, that kind of thing, but we would also listen and show respect for your opinion.

“The messages I have been receiving have come from a whole variety of people, everyday individuals as well as some high profile characters, but the message has all been the same.

“There has been real shock, because people knew he was ill, but didn't know how ill he was.”

Mr Mason said more information about future tributes to Mr Gartside would be announced in due course, but he was backing a social media campaign for fans to applaud during the 63rd minute of Wanderers’ game at the Amex Arena tomorrow.

He added: “We will be mentioning things in the programme at the next game.

“The funeral arrangements are in process with the family, which will be private, but we are planning on having a wider memorial later on.

“I know that there is a bit of a surge on social media to have a round of applause on 63 minutes.

“I think that would be great if that was led by the fans and the people, and not led by the club. That would show the support that the family deserves at this time.”

Fans also paid tribute to Mr Gartside, including Lambert Sale from Horwich, who has been following the club since 1963.

The 63-year-old has seen the ups and downs, including Wanderers’ spell in the Premier League, as well as reaching the UEFA Cup for the first time.

Mr Sale said: “We had a lot of success when he was in charge, and that will be his legacy.

“I travelled to watch the team in Munich and Lisbon, and if you look in comparison to other clubs of our size in the North West, we have had a very good time of it.”

Mr Gartside is survived by his wife Carol, daughter Beverley and son Andrew.