Tributes pour in to young football fan (From Swindon Advertiser)

Tributes pour in to young football fan

8:40am Saturday 26th May 2012 in News By Matthew Edwards

TRIBUTES have been paid to a 22-year-old man who was found hanged from a tree in Purton last week.

People have taken to social networking sites to leave messages in memory of Joe Brooking following his death last week.

And moving tributes have been paid by his family and friends.

The Swindon Town fan was found by a member of public who called the police at 2pm on May 17.

A police spokesman said: “We can confirm a member of the public contacted police as they were concerned for the welfare of a man in Upper Pavenhill, Purton.

“Officers and paramedics attended but, despite receiving medical attention, the man, aged in his 20s, died at the scene.

“The death is not being treated as suspicious at this time and a file is currently being prepared for HM Coroner for Swindon and Wiltshire.”

So far 155 people have joined the Facebook page, which has been set up in his memory.

Joe’s girlfriend Vicky posted on the site: “Dear Joe you were mine and I was yours. Now you’re at peace with the angels please give us all the strength that we need.

“Please be at my side and guide me I love you soo very much and always will, lots of love babe, your princess Vicky.”

Joe’s sister Charlotte Brooking has also put a number of messages on the site over the past week.

She said: “Please come home. I don’t want to live my life without my big brother, I can’t.

“You were my best friend. Please wake up. I love you.”

People have also taken to a Swindon Town fans’ forum to pay their respects to Joe, who was a die-hard fan and had a Swindon Town tattoo. One post said: “Sadly I have to write with extreme shock, regret and sorrow to say my good friend Neil’s son, Joe Brooking, has lost his life at the tender age of 22.

“Joe was a Swindon Town F.C. fan and had an STFC tattoo to show his support.

“My thoughts are firmly with Neil, his wife, daughter and all the family and friends who are deeply suffering this sad sad loss of someone so very young.”

Anyone who wants to leave a tribute to Joe can do so by visiting www.facebook.com/#!/RipJoe Brooking.