STEVE DYER, who died aged 60 after a long battle with cancer, was an inspirational lifelong Oxford United fan who grew up in Blackbird Leys before moving to America to set up his own masonry business.

Mr Dyer was diagnosed with bladder cancer and given just four months to live in November 2015, but lived to watch his beloved Oxford team play at Wembley last year.

He returned to Oxford, after moving permanently to New Hampshire in 1986, last September to watch one more United game and bought season tickets to be used by children at Helen and Douglas House hospice.

His family said he was an 'amazing' man who created special moments and memories everywhere he went.

Shortly before his death, the father-of-three said the outpouring of love and affection from fellow fans and old friends had kept him alive much longer than the predictions of doctors.

Steve Dyer was born on January 13, 1957 in Oxford to parents Richard Dyer and Pat Seavey.

He grew up in Blackbird Leys, after initially living in Broughton, near Banbury, with his four siblings Lynne, Paul, Phillip and Amanda and went to Redefield Secondary School.

When he left school in 1972 he worked as milkman in his teenage years before working on the railways in Leyland.

His father, who worked in the Cowley car factory, took him to his first game at the Manor Ground in 1963 which started a life-long love affair with Oxford United.

Mr Dyer met his first wife Wendy Bird on the Isle of Wight in 1980, were married two years later and then moved to Maine, USA in 1986.

He moved stateside to set up a masonry business - Dyer Masonry Contractors - with his brother Paul, having trained as a mason in Oxford.

Steve and Wendy's first child Brittany was born in the same year they crossed the Atlantic and Gemma followed two years later, and his son Steven was born in 1994.

The couple divorced and Steve met and married Carol Nolan in South Berwick, Maine in 2003.

Last year, while battling cancer, he was able to take his son Steven to watch Oxford United at Wembley in Johnstone's Paint Trophy Final - as his own father had taken him to watch the Yellows more than 50 years previously.

Aside from his love of football he also got into American football and enjoyed fishing, going on long drives and being outdoors.

He died on March 16, after spending his final hours with close family.

He is survived by his wife Carol, four children Brittany, Gemma and Steven, four siblings Paul, Phillip, Lynne and Amanda and one granddaughter Brooklyn.

A celebration of his life will be held in New Hampshire, USA on Saturday April 29. It may be thousands of miles away but those going will be wearing yellow and blue - Oxford United colours - in memory of Mr Dyer.

In tribute, Oxford United will list Mr Dyer as 12th man on the teamsheet for the remainder of the season - including at Webley on Sunday.