THE family of the man who was hit by a train after being reported missing have said their son "will always be loved and always be missed".
Neil Skipper, 30, of Grange Road in Thornton Heath, was reported missing to the police by his family on Saturday after he left the house at 6.30pm to go to the shops and never returned.
The Met Police were called to Putney railway station at 10.30pm on Saturday night where a man had been hit by a train and pronounced dead at the scene.
On Tuesday, Croydon Police confirmed the man was Neil Skipper and thanked the public for their support in trying to find him.
His family said that they have received support from friends and family and the community of Fulham Football Club, where Neil was a season ticket holder.
Neil's father, Philip, wrote on the club's fan forum: "I posted an appeal yesterday for help in finding my missing son. Huge thanks for all the messages of support and help.
"Unfortunately, we got the news we had all been dreading last evening. Neil's body was found on the line at Putney station."
Since then, tributes have flooded in to the website. Neil's friend and fellow supporter, Mike Parry, has set up a JustGiving page in his name to raise money for the charity Missing People which has already collected more than £1,000.
Neil also leaves behind his mother, Anne, and sister, Nicole.
Mr Skipper said on the memorial page: "On Saturday night Neil made the journey we have made hundreds of times from Croydon to Putney to end his life.
"If only I'd stopped him.
"RIP Neil, we have lost a wonderful son, my best friend and for all of us, a fellow Fulham nut."
To contribute to Neil's memorial page, visit www.justgiving.com/neilskipper.
