He was our love, protector, friend: Tributes paid to Germanwings crash victim, Martyn Matthews

These are the heart wrenching words of Martyn Matthews' family, who have paid public and deeply personal tributes to him for the first time.

The 50-year-old from Bushbury was one of the tragic 150 victims of the French Alps plane disaster.

There were emotional scenes at Molineux yesterday as fans, staff and players took part in a minute's applause to remember him before Wolves' game against Leeds.

And in the matchday programme Mr Matthews' wife Sharon and children Nathan and Jade gave intimate accounts of their feelings towards their lost loved one.

Sharon, 48, recalled memories of how the pair met, how they recently celebrated their 25th anniversary and how they should have gone on holiday together just last week.

Describing how they met, she said: "I was selling strawberry tarts at the fair.

"We went on to get married in 1989 and we had two lovely children, Nathan and Jade.

"They have turned out to be loving, caring, hard-working young adults with their dad's sense of humour and passion for life.

"Martyn was a very proud, loving, supportive father and he would do anything for them.

"He was funny, silly and a joker for them.

"He always called me Shazmaz and always made me laugh, cared for me and wanted me to have the best of everything as, he said, I looked after him so well.

"He only made that comment this last Christmas.

"Our 25th anniversary was in October, we celebrated with a cruise, our first holiday since having the children, without them.

"This was going to be the start of many more holidays together on our own. We visited places he so longed to see; Pompeii, the Coliseum in Rome, and Barcelona. We were due to go back there last Monday. Martyn did not like fuss, he just loved his family, scenery and the wild outdoors.

"He has ended up being involved in one of the biggest of tragedies, one that has touched so many people.

"But, if you saw where he is resting, you would feel the comfort and peace that we did.

"Knowing he is in rugged, beautiful scenery, the kind that he loved so much, helps a little.

"I'd like to take this opportunity of thanking everyone for their kind support at this awful time.

"And, to Martyn, we will meet again and roam the hills together like we should have done.

"Rest in peace my love, little Shazmaz xxxxx."

Son Nathan, 23, called his father 'my best friend' and told how he watched Wolves games with him.

Nathan said: "Wolves were always a big part of my childhood and the start of my adulthood as I watched the team with my dad.

"In fact we watched all kinds of sports together, going to different places, going to gigs together and drinking many pints.

"He was not just a dad to me but my best friend.

"My first ever Wolves game was in January 1999 against Watford and the last game with my dad was also against Watford last month.

"I was a season ticket holder with dad for eight seasons and then his brother Ian took over my seat as I went off to university in London.

"Now I have lost my dad, I have also lost my best friend and watching Wolves will just not quite be the same as it once was for me." Daughter Jade, 20, said: "I was daddy's little girl. He gave me endless cuddles, love and support, and he put up with coming to the endless dance shows I was involved in to show his continued support for me.

"He wanted me to realise my lifelong dream of becoming a primary school teacher and fully supported me and he was always a phone call away if ever I needed anything no matter how big or silly.

"Dad was the main in my life who supported me in any way that I needed.

"He was my protector."

Tributes also came from chief executive Jez Moxey and Wolves captain Danny Batth, who yesterday helped lay flowers in front of the Steve Bull stand where Mr Matthews was a season ticket holder.

Mr Moxey said everyone at Wolves was deeply shocked and saddened to learn that one of the victims of the crash was Mr Matthews, an avid Wolves fan of many years.

He said: "However, most of all he was a loving, caring family man and our sincere condolences go to his wife, Sharon, and their two grown-up children Jade and Nathan.

"We've been in close contact with Sharon and the family and it's our privilege to welcome them to today's game as our guests and to lead the pre-match tribute to Martyn.

"I know the Wolves fans' response to the tragedy has been a huge comfort to all Martyn's loved ones and I'm sure that will continue as we join together with today's opposition, Leeds United, to pay our sincere respects.

"This tragic incident puts football firmly into perspective but does highlight the positive difference the club and the fans can make in these kind of situations.

"At Wolves we are a large family and we place great emphasis on our role as a community club, through good times and bad."

And captain Batth also paid tribute. He said: "Martyn had been a loyal supporter of Wolves for many, many years but more than that a family man who leaves wife Sharon and two children and everyone's thoughts are with them as they come to terms with such a tragic loss."