A Norwich City supporter who faced online abuse for giving his views on his beloved team says the support shown by fellow fans has "changed his life". 

Nathan West, of Earsham, near Bungay, was interviewed by the PinkUn ahead of a home game to Millwall which was shared online and viewed by 29 million people, leading to a series of hateful comments.

But the football community rallied around the Clays employee, known as Westy, and went on to support his fundraising half marathon he is running on October 1, which only had £500 in donations at the time.

Within four days after the fundraiser was mass shared it was on £50,000, with football fans and people from across the globe donating.

It has now reached £59,191 as of Friday afternoon.

Mr West, who has just celebrated his 32nd birthday by catching up with family, says it has "changed my life".

Beccles & Bungay Journal: Nathan West pictured at his beloved Earsham Football ClubNathan West pictured at his beloved Earsham Football Club (Image: Bruno Brown)

He said: "When I walk through the streets in Bungay and Earsham people call across to me “Go on Westy boy”, “keep it going” and “smashing it lad”.

"People have even recognised me in Norwich when I’ve been walking about, a few people came over and said "Hello", "keep going", which was nice too.

"I would definitely say that all this publicity has changed my life, the support has been unbelievable."

READ MORE: Canaries fan Nathan West 'overwhelmed' after video with 24m views lands him Wembley trip

The 32-year-old received a special mention from Sky's Soccer Saturday presenter, Simon Thomas, who heralded the football community for its support.

 

 

In recognition of his fundraising, Norwich City Football Club has made Mr West a Community Hero and he will be presenting the match ball for the Leeds game on October 21.

READ MORE: Emotional sporting tribute held to honour 26-year-old father who took own life

Beccles & Bungay Journal: Nathan West is excited to run the half marathon on October 1 and is training hard for it Nathan West is excited to run the half marathon on October 1 and is training hard for it (Image: Bruno Brown)

And the FA has arranged for Mr West and a friend to have tickets for the European Qualifier at Wembley as England take on Italy on October 17.

Norwich's star player of the current campaign, Jonathon Rowe, who won Norwich's August Player of the Month award, has also sent him a signed shirt.

Beccles & Bungay Journal: Westy says it is an honour to be asked to present the match ball at his beloved Carrow Road next monthWesty says it is an honour to be asked to present the match ball at his beloved Carrow Road next month (Image: Bruno Brown)

He will be running the Kent-Tonbridge Half Marathon on Sunday, October 1, to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support as he has lost loved ones to the disease.

To donate to his fundraiser see the link: www.justgiving.com/page/nathan-west-tonbridge-half-marathon-2023