Tranmere Rovers to pay tribute to young super fan Nate Gidman who died of brain cancer

• Report by Granada Reports journalist Tim Scott

Tranmere Rovers have paid tribute to a five-year-old super fan who has passed away from cancer.

Nathaniel Gidman, known as Nate, had Medulloblastoma - a cancerous brain tumour found in children and died with his mother and father, Nicola and Phil, by his side on 7 February.

The family, who are originally from Birkenhead but now live in Lincoln, are big Rovers fans, and captured the hearts of supporters when Phil began to share updates about their journey on Twitter.

A crowdfunding page was started by fans, which raised more than £11,000 for the family.

During the team's first match following Nate's death - a 3-0 win again Swindon on 8 February - Tranmere celebrated each goal by raising a shirt with Nate's name and age.

Fans also took part in a minute's applause as well as collecting money for the Children's Brain Tumour Research Fund, in honour of Tranmere's "little super hero."

In response to the club's win, dad Phil called the night "perfect" and hailed the fact the team had scored in the fifth minute - apt for Nate's age.

The dad said he watched the Swindon game with his family at home.

• Nate's dad Phil Gidman talks about how much the tribute means.

He said: "We were already overwhelmed by what Tranmere had already done for us, and the fans and supporter base, it was monumental.

"For [the goal] to be within the fifth minute, for Kane Hemmings to put the ball away, just for everyone, it was just - the grief wasn't just felt by myself, as a football club, I felt that everyone cared, everyone else was grieving too.

"Just to have that moment for everyone on the pitch it was special."

The team finished the game by putting Nate's football shirt in front of the goal, something the family say they were not expecting.

Phil added: "I wasn't expecting that, what a tribute, you could just see how much it meant to the players, to a man, each of them have come through at various stages of this journey and just offered nothing but respect and then to do that at the end it was so sincere."

Giving a message to Tranmere Rovers, Phil said: "From me, as a fan, and my family, now we've become fans, they're not all from Birkenhead - you've been amazing, your love has been so strong, so sincere.

"The way that Nate's life has been honoured and illuminated, we're so grateful to have been able to share this with you.

"This whole process should have been a lot darker the road that he's been on, with everything he's been through, it's hit the climax where it should have been a lot darker, but the love that's resonated through so much and that's part of the club, the fans, everyone.

"Just to know he's mattered so much, the club, the fan base, the players, the ex-players, people I watched and adored growing up as a kid."

• Footage from the last time Nate visited Prenton Park, home of Tranmere Rovers

In a statement posted on the club's website Tranmere said: "Everyone at Tranmere is devastated to hear of the passing of Nate Gidman, a brave little boy who was taken into the hearts of the SWA as he battled a brain tumour.

"Nate’s life may have been cruelly cut short but he packed more love, fun and memories into five brief years than many experience in their lifetime, and whilst that is primarily down to the incredible love and dedication shown by his parents, Phil and Nicola, it was truly heartwarming to see the SWA embrace the family and rally round to help make sure his last months were as fun-packed as possible.

"We hope we all helped to make memories for the family that will help sustain them through these dark times, and endure forever.

"Rest easy, Nate. We won’t forget our little super hero."