Tributes paid to 'family-orientated & football mad' dad Steven Johnson as fundraiser launched

Tributes have been paid to devoted father-of-seven Steven Johnson as a family friend launches a fundraiser in his memory,

The 50-year-old died following an alleged assault in Aberdeen on the city's Carmelite Lane on March 12. 

He died at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary two days after the incident took place. 

But a family friend, Mhairi Conway, decided to help the family as much as she could by setting up an online fundraiser in memory of her brother's father-in-law. 

Her main aim is to help towards the funeral costs and support his family which includes seven children and four young grandchildren. 

The crowd funding is sitting at £4,340 of the initial £2000 she had planned to raise. 

Last weekend, Leyton Orient fans clapped in the 50th minute during their 2-2 draw with Colchester United at Brisbane Road, to mark Steven's age in tribute to him. 

Speaking about Steven, Mhairi says he absolutely loved his football and always thought of his family. 

Mr Johnson’s family released an emotional statement, earlier this month, saying their "hearts are broken". 

They added: “Steven was a loving and amazing father, husband, grandad, brother and uncle. He had so much to live for and so many more memories to make with us all.

“He was one-of-a-kind and our hearts are broken, there are no words. He’s been taken from his five sons, two daughters and four grandchildren and our lives will never be the same again. 

“All his family would like to thank everyone for their support, kind words and comments. We’d appreciate being left to grieve and try to come to terms with this nightmare.”

A 45-year-old's man been arrested in connection with the incident. 

Donations can be made to the fundraiser here.