STOKE CITY and Blackburn Rovers have expressed shock and sadness at the news of a supporter's death following an incident at the Barclays Premier League match at the Britannia Stadium on Saturday.

The 30-year-old man has now been named by Staffordshire Police as John Steven Taylor, from Avallon Way, Darwen in Lancashire.

The result of a Home Office post mortem, which was carried out earlier today, has also been revealed with the cause of death due to a head injury. 

The two clubs have sent their condolences to Mr Taylor's family after the incident confined to the visitors section which led to him being rushed to the University Hospital of North Staffordshire in an unconscious state and then pronounced dead at 1.55am on Sunday morning.

City's Chief Executive Tony Scholes said: "This is the tragic loss of a young man. Our thoughts and deepest sympathies go to his family."

Blackburn Chairman John Williams commented: "This is a tragic situation and our thoughts are with John's family at this deeply distressing time."

A 25-year-old man from the Preston area who was arrested in connection with the incident has been bailed pending further enquiries.

Staffordshire Police are appealing to anyone who witnessed the incident, or who may have videoed it on their mobile phone, to contact the Major
Investigations Department on 01785 233600, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

The Police confirmed that Mr Taylor, who was among 1,300 Blackburn fans attending the Premier League fixture, was found in an unconscious state on the concourse of the SEAT Stand at around 4.00pm on Saturday afternoon.

He was treated at the scene by the West Midlands Ambulance Service and St John Ambulance for a head trauma and cardiac arrest.