Friends of 20 year old Jack Dowding who tragically died at the weekend have planned a tribute to the keen Saints supporter and even Southampton FC themselves are urging everyone to take part.

Jack Dowdig died suddenly at his home in Hedge End on Saturday morning and his friends have launched a campaign to get the crowd at St Mary's for tonights game against Liverpool to stand up for a minutes applause in the 20th minute of the game to honour him.

Speaking to the Daily Echo his father Laurence Dowding was touched by the show of affection for his son.

“Jack had a huge amount of friends. We decided the best way to let them know was to put out on social media what had happened to him."

“It is just lovely to have so many people care about your child and say all of the lovely things they said.

“Everyone was writing the same thing - that Jack never had a bad word to anyone and always had a smile on his face.”

Jack, who was a Type 1 diabetic, died from complications with the illness, his parents confirmed.

The #20Mclapforjack appeal set up by Jack’s friends asks fans to applaud in his memory when the match reaches the 20 minute mark.

Saints themselves have already tweeted their support for the tribute saying on twitter

“Our thoughts are with Jack’s family and friends."

“We encourage #SaintsFC fans to join in a round of applause in the 20th minute on Wednesday.”

With the football club, social media and even the media on Merseyside urging Liverpool fans to join in the campaign for the 20th minute tribute has gained momentum and hopefully tonight it will be a moving tribute to Jack who would have been at the game tonight but for his tragic death.

I'm sure he would be pleased if the tribute played a part in creating an atmosphere in the ground that united the Saints supporters behind their team and spurred it to victory.

The tribute is simple, when the clock on the electronic scoreboard hits the 20th minute all fans should stand and give a rousing minutes applause in Jack's memory.

Photo: Action Images

the_saint added 11:53 - Jan 11 When thing like this happen it really does put things into perspective my heart goes out to his family and me and my lads will join in in honour of jack
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SaintBrock added 13:03 - Jan 11 My son has Type 1 Diabetes so I really feel for this lad and the agonies and deprivations that he had to live with. It is a 24hour a day management task just to keep going. Just a horrible existence fro all sufferers. His parents must be totally shattered and if a small gesture like this help soothe their pain, I will be the first to stand this evening. My son will be there also. RIP Jack & God Bless.

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BuenosSaint added 20:07 - Jan 11 wasn't the goal 20th minute....? what a tribute. it was for him.
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SaintBrock added 16:54 - Jan 12 There is more to living than we know or can even imagine.
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