One of Ipswich Speedway’s biggest fans, Nigel ‘Noddy’ Fordham has died.

‘Noddy’ was well known not just for his love of the Witches, but his love of the sport in general.

For more than 40 years, he hitch-hiked the length and breadth of England and Europe, shelling out thousands of pounds to follow the sport he fell in love with as a teenager.

His presence will be missed at Foxhall.

Witches director of speedway Chris Louis led the tributes. Louis tweeted: “A part of the @ipswichspeedway soul and family has passed on. A man that has followed our Club, The Tiger (John Louis), myself and many other Witches around the world.”

In an interview a few years ago with the Ipswich Star, Fordham said: “I would be a millionaire by now if I hadn’t got involved in speedway. It takes up all my time and it has cost me a fortune, but I still love it - I suppose I’m the speedway gypsy.

“I have every programme from every meeting I have ever been to.”

Fordham didn’t just keep programmes, he recorded every meeting he also attended in a book he was immensely proud of.

He travelled more than a million miles to watch speedway, including trips to the Czech Republic and Italy.