The Sydney Swans Football Club is sad to announce the passing of beloved fan Alan Lees, a long-time supporter of the club’s emerging wave of young talent. 

The player deemed the Swans’ brightest young talent is presented the annual Cathy Lees Award, an honour named in tribute to passionate supporter Cathy Lees after she had passed away from cancer in 1998.

Her father Alan was at the SCG to present rising Sydney ruckman Darcy Cameron the 2018 Cathy Lees Award in February, but the man loved by all at the Swans lost his own battle with cancer on Wednesday.

Sydney great Brett Kirk, who Alan awarded the prestigious honour after season 1999, paid tribute to the dear member of the Swans family.

“He’s such a beautiful person who’s been such a passionate and loyal supporter of ours for a long time,” Kirk said.

“They’ve had some tragedy in their family, but we’d always see him at home games watching the reserves and seniors, and he’d always cheer us on with so much passion. It’s sad news for the football club.

“On behalf of everyone at the club, we’re thinking of everyone in the Lees family. You all have our support.”