Tributes have been paid to former West Ham United club photographer and Recorder staff member Steve Bacon, who has passed away at the age of 72.

Former East Ham Grammar School pupil Bacon began working for the Recorder in 1973 and soon found himself on the touchline of his beloved Hammers, capturing action shots for the weekly newspaper.

He would go on to become the club's official photographer for some of the most memorable moments in West Ham United history, including the 1980 FA Cup win and third-place finish in Division One in 1986.

His bio on X reads: "Hammers' fairly famous former club photographer! My views are my own. You can still find my autobiography - There's Only One Stevie Bacon - on Amazon."

A club statement from West Ham United posted on Friday night on X said: "We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of legendary former Club photographer Steve Bacon. 

"The thoughts and condolences of everyone at West Ham United are with Steve’s family, friends, and loved ones at this sad time."

Former Recorder editor and long-time friend Colin Grainger added: "I'd known Steve for 51 years as his boss and friend and he was just a gentle man.

"And he also took cracking sports pictures, with our colour photo pages of Steve's ground-breaking.

"Apparently word got around at an evening with Sir Trevor Brooking and Sir Geoff Hurst and they held a minute's silence and sang 'There's Only One Stevie Bacon'."

Hammers fans have been calling for the club to hold a minute's silence before their Premier League game against Everton at London Stadium today (November 9) and for the team to also wear black armbands.

Fellow photographer Richard Pelham posted on X: "Had the pleasure of sharing a touch line and a Bovril with the Legend. RIP."

And others also shared their fond memories of Bacon down the years on the social media site.

Jim Webb posted: "He was a permanent fixture during my first visits to the Boleyn Ground, always a smile and a joke. But also a supreme professional, some of the most iconic photos from the greatest team I ever saw, from the seventies to the eighties. RIP big man." 

Andy Lawlor added: "He was a stand out photographer and someone you would always see and could chat to from the terraces at Upton Park and I have always enjoyed his photos from those days on social media too. My sincere condolences to Steve’s family and friends, he was a proper West Ham man."

Matt Gibbons posted: "This is so sad.... So many great images captured in our history by this man... RIP Steve."

And Suze, posting as @LondonLass101, added: "Sad news a club legend without ever kicking a ball for us. RIP One Stevie Bacon."

Bacon continued to work for the Recorder and enjoyed a career spanning over four decades, before suffering with ill health in his later years.

He remained a huge Hammers fan, making a guest appearance on the iconic Soccer AM show on Sky, and was active on social media, sending birthday messages to former players and sharing his thoughts on the club.

And he will be sorely missed by family, friends, former colleagues and fellow Hammers of a certain age who, as well as knowing the famous terrace chant 'I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles' will certainly also be aware of 'There's Only One Stevie Bacon'.