The boy who showed us what football is truly about

Sometimes news, even in these troubled times makes you so sad that it isn't surprising that tears fall when you hear it.

Bradley Lowery's six years on this earth touched so many lives and he was a inspiration to everybody he met, all team colours mean't nothing as the cheery smile beamed from the youngster.

The Sunderland fan was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a rare form of cancer when he was eighteen months old but throughout his battle with this cursed disease he battled on and melted many hearts with his strength and joviality.

My heart goes out to his parents on this heartbreaking news, you never expect a child to pass before you and all of football's fans feel sadness today.

Bradley with his mum

His biggest 'buddy' was Bournemouth's newly arrived striker Jermaine Defoe and the pair have been inseparable since they met, the tears that fell from the football player were genuine when he spoke of his friendship with the little lad. Footballers rarely show themselves in this light but Jermaine was immensely proud of little Bradley.

There may be something that football can do to show how much he meant to the game. A minutes applause on the sixth minute of every opening game of the EFL football season, where for a minute the game stops and we as supporters and players can show his Mum, Dad and their family just how special he was thought of. It could also be repeated when the Premiership starts a week or so after.

Today a light went out but a bright one shines up in heaven. Sleep tight Bradley, God Bless and Thank you just for that wonderful smile, we, like your family will miss it every passing day.

RIP Bradley Lowery

MOT

By Keith Ingham