Football fan found dead on beach after night out watching big game on TV

A football fan's body was found on the beach hours after watching his beloved team in a bar on TV.

Gary Simpson, said to be in his 40s, cheered on Leeds United in their dramatic Championship Play-off semi-final second leg against Derby County on Wednesday.

But he was reported missing after the tie ended at around 10.30pm.

Grimsby Live reports today his body was found off the Lincolnshire town's North Promenade near the former Wonderland amusements venue.

Leeds United scarves were among the tributes left along the promenade today.

Distraught family members have also posted touching messages and tributes to Mr Simpson on social media.

Mr Simpson, identified locally, is believed to have been working in the Grimsby and Cleethorpes area with family members.

Tributes have been left near the scene in Grimsby (grimsbytelegraph.co.uk)

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"So sad, RIP Gary, " wrote one person.

The group had gone to watch the important Leeds game. Leeds, playing at their home ground Elland Road, Leeds 2-4 Derby (3-4 agg): Rams book Wembley berth in Elland Road thriller

It is then thought Mr Simpson, a passionate Leeds fan, was separated from the group.

Authorities have assisted with the investigation (grimsbytelegraph.co.uk)

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His body was discovered on the beach about 100-metres from shore early on Friday. They then alerted a passing motorist who called the emergency services.

A section of the beach was cordoned off by the emergency services after the discovery on Friday. Coastguard and police were later joined by detectives and scenes of crime teams at the scene.

A postmortem examination is expected to be carried out by a Home Office pathologist in Hull to determine how Mr Simpson came to be in the water and how he died.

Police have said they were treating the death as "unexplained".

The death is being treated as 'unexplained' at this stage, police said (grimsbytelegraph.co.uk)

A Humberside Police spokesperson said: "Crews from the Coastguard and ambulance service also attended. A cordon was put in place while our investigation got underway.

"It’s thought the man hadn’t been in the water for very long.

"Enquiries are in their very early stages and we are currently treating the man’s death as unexplained."

Anyone with any information should contact police on 101 quoting log number 111 of 17/05/19.