Shrewsbury train hero's 'perfect' last day described

He cheered on his team as they won 2-0 away to former FA Cup winners Portsmouth to move a step closer to promotion, before watching a heavy metal gig with his brother Robert in London.

But the night ended in disaster when his brother Robert fell on to the tracks at Old Street tube station – and Nick, 35, died after being struck by a train as he tried to pull him clear.

Robert, who was also hit, is still recovering from his injuries.

A jury yesterday ruled Mr Mann's death was an accident at inquest in London

His mother, Pauline Mann, who along with the rest of Mr Mann's family decided not to attend the inquest , called her son's final day a "perfect day".

In a written statement issued to the court, she said: "Nick and his brother had been close as children and that relationship followed into adulthood – they texted each other many times a day and the last day of Nick's life they spent together.

"I will always miss my darling son."

She added: "It was the perfect day. It involved football, a gig, and chips and beer."

Mr Mann, a senior press officer and heavy metal enthusiast, married wife Jennifer Kavanagh in 2011.

The couple had tickets to travel to Greece and Japan after previous extensive travelling trips to Iceland.

Following his death both football clubs paid tribute to Mr Mann, and thousands of fans took part in a minute's applause during the 35th minute of Shrewsbury Town's home match with Dagenham & Redbridge later that week.

A memorial fund set up in his memory raised £7,670.

Opting to not appear in court, Ms Kavanagh said in a statement to court that Mr Mann was "a wonderful husband and loyal friend".

She added: "He was selfless, kind, warm and loving and he put other people first. We had a wonderful decade together."

Ms Kavanagh added: "It's clear by the tributes from Shrewsbury Town and the fans after his death how much he meant to the club."

Matthew Pabon, who witnessed the train hitting Mr Mann and his brother, told the inquest it all happened "really fast".

He said: "They were walking really close to the edge of the platform. They were quite cheerful. They were jumping and celebrating, very cheerful."

He added: "One of them slipped, the other person was trying to pull him out. It was really really fast.

"The train was approaching really, really fast. I turned around and heard a bang." Summing up, Coroner Mary Hassell recorded the death as "accidental".

She thanked Mr Mann and his family for the multi-organ donation made following his death.

The coroner said: "After Nick's death his family, incredible kindly, allowed his organs to be donated for others to use.

"This an incredibly kind gesture that is at the worst possible time in their lives for the person's family at their darkest hour.

"On behalf of those people I say thank you to Nick's family."