Elijah Khaira was a passionate Southampton supporter both home and away and also a contributor to The Ugly Inside, both in writing articles as SFC Ref and also on the message board.

Many Southampton fans knew Elijah Khaira, he was a familiar face not just at St Mary's but also at away games, but he was also an aspiring referee, despite his tender age he rose quickly through the ranks and had gone had gone from park football to a Level 5 referee who had been put forward for Level 4 promotion by the Hampshire FA, also refereeing games at Staplewood and officiating in the Wessex League, exceptional for a man who was only 20.

Sadly he would not make his 21st birthday that he would have been celebrating only a few days ago, he would tragically pass away back in June.

His father Nick has now asked that Southampton supporters pay tribute to his son with a minutes applause in the 20th minute of the game against Manchester United.

Speaking to The Daily Echo he had this to say.

"We hope many of the supporters there will participate.

"Elijah refereed for Southampton FC at Staplewood and he was as big a Saints fan as anyone, a season ticket holder as well as going to most away games. If anyone deserves a clap, he does."

The Daily Echo also commented.

Elijah had been attending Saints games since the age of five, his last the Championship play off final victory over Leeds at Wembley.

A former student at The Gregg School and Peter Symonds College, Elijah spent his weekends officiating around Hampshire, sometimes at four or five matches, and following Southampton home and away.

He had aspirations to go all the way to the top, to one day officiate for Premier League matches and maybe even a World Cup final.

Elijah, who ran the line at an Ex Saints match just a day before his tragic death and last refereed as Millbrook were promoted to the Wessex League Premier Division in May, had gone from park football to a Level 5 referee who had been put forward for Level 4 promotion by the Hampshire FA.

A marine biology student at the University of Portsmouth, Elijah is thought to have suffered a night time epileptic seizure at his student house in Southsea.

Nick, mum Samantha and sister Bo set up a giving page in his memory, which has raised nearly £8,500 for The Epilepsy Society.

Details of how to donate can be found at elijahkhaira.muchloved.com

Hopefully Southampton supporters will respond in the 20th minute and will rise and pay tribute to one of their own, certainly the media have got behind this with Talksport and The Daily Echo promoting it and Southampton FC are also paying tribute, Elijah will have his picture beamed onto giant screens at the ground and be mentioned in the match day programme.

His Father Nick had already bought his season ticket for this season and his seat will be empty for the season, although on Saturday it will be filled by his mother who hopefully will not only feel proud of what her son achieved in his all too short life, but also of his fellow Saints fans, many of who are members of this site and knew him not by his real name but as SFC Ref, I know we will all show how we respect one of our own.

Photo: Action Images

Bowlercow added 11:32 - Sep 13 Big applause for this guy who has earnt every second of it
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mattthelegend added 07:49 - Sep 14 Well said Nick, he was a genuine and caring lad. Who was passionate about his refereeing and always took the time to talk to the boys when reffing their games. 😇
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