Tributes have poured in from fans, players and staff at Charlton Athletic after news that superfan Seb Lewis has died after a battle with the Covid-19 virus.

Seb, just 38, was a cult hero at Charlton, having attended 1,076 consecutive games both home and away between February 1998 up until the coronavirus outbreak led to the suspension of all professional football.

In a statement on Thursday, March 26, Charlton Athletic announced that the iconic superfan had passed away after contracting coronavirus.

The club described him as "the heart and soul of the Charlton family" and said the Valley and every away end up and down the country would never be the same again.

Following the news, hundreds of supporters began flooding social media with tributes to Seb, and using the #StayhomeforSeb to urge people to stay inside during the deadly pandemic.

Charlton fan Any Wilkin and Charlton Live host Louis Mendez took it one step further, kicking off an idea for supporters to pay their respects by hanging flags, shirts and scarves outside their windows as a visual reminder, and share along with the hastag.

 

 

Seb's dad, Lionel Lewis, said the outpouring of emotion from the Charlton family had touched him and highlighted the thousands of friends Seb had through his connection with the club.

Speaking on the phone to Charlton Athletic, Lionel said: "I had an inkling he was popular but what’s coming out now is a show of absolute adoration and we’re very, very touched to all who have said what they have said.”

"I took him to his first game at The Valley in 1993. Charlton won 5-1 and he was tremendously over-excited and wanted to go more.

His older brother Olly would take him to away games as a youngster and Lionel described his son’s passion for the club.

“He was dyslexic and he hadn’t read a full book but when Gary Nelson’s biography came out he went and got it and read the whole thing.”

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Lionel explained that Seb would queue up for hours and was often the first to get a new kit or a new Charlton book.

Seb’s brother Olly, himself a Charlton superfan said Seb was “incredibly proud” when he won the Charlton Supporter of the Year award in 2012/13.

Olly added: “I am not on CharltonLife but I’ve been having a look and we are overwhelmed by messages. I was particularly touched by one that said ‘I didn’t know Seb personally but recognized him as Charlton institution’.”

 

 

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Amongst those sending in tributes were dozens of players.

Chris Solly paid his respects, writing on Twitter: "The most dedicated and loyal football fan I’ve ever known and such a fun character, you’ll be truly missed by us all!"

Jason Euell said: "#RIPSeb Gone but never forgotten. Once an Addick, Always an Addick Home & Away. #MadeInCharlton."

Josh Cullen called Seb a "true CAFC legend," whilst Ademola Lookman said he was "a supporter I will never forget, Rest In peace Seb."

Lee Bowyer was among those to send condolences from himself and everyone at the club, saying that "without fail he was always there" and he was hugely going to be missed in the terraces.

"My heart goes out to his family and friends and we’re going to miss him dearly."

 

 

Former manager Chris Powell also expressed his condolences, recalling meeting him several times and saying: "If anyone could say they were Charlton through and through, it was Seb."

Amy Wilkin, who created the hashtag #StayhomeforSeb, said she was "deeply saddened" to hear the news about Seb.

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"The flag was what gave me the idea of us all hanging something Charlton in the windows,” she said.

“I really hope that this will catch people’s attention and get them on social media to then realise what a young, special person this virus has taken from a family, a fanbase and the world. I really hope this can help to make people listen.”

Supporters can get involved with the initiative by posting an image of their colours flying from their household for Seb using the hashtag #StayHomeForSeb on social media.