When Jack Hatton was first told he needed treatment for leukaemia, he said it would have to wait until after Oxford United’s next game.

The 19-year-old fan did not miss a match in the club’s 2009/10 promotion winning season despite his illness.

His mum Sheila said: “His life was Oxford United. It meant everything to him.”

His dad Phil, 56, who is also a lifelong Oxford fan, added: “Treatment often fitted around Oxford United.”

Jack, from Corbett Road in Carterton, even delayed his discharge from Oxford Children’s Hospital so he did not miss a visit from Oxford United players in 2009.

He was diagnosed with leukaemia in January 2007 and had chemotherapy, but it returned in August last year.

He again delayed treatment until after the game with West Ham United in the Carling Cup.

Jack had a stem cell transplant in November last year. He died on Monday after contracting lymphoma in the summer.

His parents said tests showed he had beaten leukaemia.

They said he was delighted to have seen Oxford beat Swindon in August.

Mrs Hatton added: “I will remember his wicked sense of humour.

“He was always funny. Right up until the day he died. We now feel lost. Empty.”

One of Jack’s proudest moments was as a seven-year-old mascot for the club in a FA Cup match against Morecambe in 1999.

U’s legend Joey Beauchamp last night sent his condolences to Jack’s family.

He said: “Oxford United has lost a true fan. The fans are very close, so he will be in all the fans and all the players’ thoughts.”

Peter Rhoades-Brown, Oxford United’s community officer, knew Jack since he did work experience at the club aged 15.

He said: “He was just one of the bravest boys I’ve ever met.

“Every time we did hospital visits with the players at Christmas he was there having treatment, but we never heard him complain.

“I remember one time going over to his house with Simon Eastwood, one of the goalkeepers, and Jack was telling him about his illness and treatment, and how he’d not really had a head of hair since he began being treated.

“He said to Simon ‘but it could be worse’ and Simon asked him, ‘how?’.

“Jack replied: ‘I could be a Swindon fan’!”

Mr Rhoades-Brown added: “He was an inspiration to us all.”

Jack played in goal for Carterton Rangers, Chasewell Park in Banbury, and even played for the county.

His brother Matthew Hylla, 27, said Jack was a great player, adding: “When he wasn’t playing football he was watching it.”

On his 18th birthday Jack toured the Kassam Stadium.

His funeral takes place on Thursday at The Church of St John in Carterton at 1pm and will be followed by a service at Oxford Crematorium at 3pm.

Mourners are asked to wear yellow.