BOLTON Wanderers fans paid their respects to club chef Brian Ward by lighting up the Macron this evening.

Mr Ward died at his home last week and since then players, staff and fans of the club have paid tribute to him.

This evening fans held their phones in the air in the 18th minute as a mark of respect to the father-of-four who had worked at the club for 18 years.

The spectacle was arrange by Bolton Wanderers Supporters Group who had posted on Facebook asking people to get involved.

In a post on their page they wrote: “We are asking all fans to participate in lighting up the Macron Stadium in the 18th minute against Gillingham, in memory of Brian Ward who passed away this week.

“He spent 18 years working for Bolton and will be sadly missed.”

The match was broadcast live on Sky Sports and some viewers took to Twitter to praise the spectacle.

Former Premier League referee Mark Halsey tweeted: “Excellent tribute tonight @OfficialBWFC for chef Brian Ward a good friend who will be sorely missed will treasure those times together pal.”

The players wore t-shirts over their training tops during the warm up that said: "RIP Brian. Thanks for the 18 years."

The players also wore black armbands as a mark of respect for the man who was executive chef at the Whites Hotel before becoming executive chef for the club.

Manager Phil Parkinson told The Bolton News earlier this week that the players had been affected by the loss of the popular member of staff.

He said: ““It was a big shock earlier this week. Brian was a very well-respected man around the training ground and the stadium.

“He has been here a long time and he’ll be sorely missed.

“The training ground was a very sombre place when we got the news earlier this week, as you’d expect it to be.

“All we can do is send our best wishes to his family and friends outside the club and hopefully put on a performance on Monday worthy of someone who was here for 18 years – which is some going in football.”

The Whites did put in a fitting performance for Mr Ward as they beat Gillingham 4-0.