BRAVE SUNDERLAND FAN Bradley Lowery has died at the age of six after a fight against neuroblastoma, his family has confirmed.
Lowery touched football fans across the world after repeatedly appearing as a mascot for Sunderland during the 2016-17 season.
He formed a remarkably close bond with striker Jermain Defoe, with the England international regularly visiting Lowery and his family, both at home and in hospital.
His family confirmed the tragic news this afternoon. Lowery was “surrounded by family” when he died, they said.
“My brave boy has went with the angels today 07/07/17 at 13:35, in mammy and daddies arms surrounded by his family,” a post on the Facebook page ‘Bradley Lowery’s fight against neuroblastoma’ read.
“He was our little superhero and put the biggest fight up but he was needed else where.
“There are no words to describe how heart-broken we are.
“Thank you everyone for all your support and kind words.
“Sleep tight baby boy and fly high with them angels.”
Shortly after the news was confirmed, Sunderland – who had donated towards possible treatment for him in the United States which sadly was called off — issued a touching statement.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with Bradley’s parents, Gemma and Carl, his brother Kieran and their family and friends. We extend our love and support to them, now and always.
“Bradley captured the hearts and minds of everyone at our club with his indomitable spirit, tremendous courage and beautiful smile, which could light up even the darkest of rooms. Despite battling neuroblastoma for much of his all too short life, he demonstrated a bravery and fortitude beyond his years that humbled us all. He was truly an inspiration.
“His heart-warming friendship with players and staff alike epitomised the impact this wonderful little boy had on everyone he met. He had a special relationship with Jermain Defoe and their feelings for each other were evident for all to see. Jermain, naturally, is heartbroken.
“Bradley’s story not only touched our club and our fans, but also the wider football community. Football can be a powerful force for good and our sport came together to embrace Bradley’s fight in a unique way. We would like to extend our sincere thanks to every club and fan who supported Bradley in recent months and showed such warmth and kindness to the Lowery’s – we are truly grateful.
“Throughout his illness, Bradley’s family and friends have worked tirelessly to increase awareness of this brutal disease. Their fundraising campaign, initially for Bradley’s treatment and subsequently to raise money for the foundation that will bear his name, will ensure that other youngsters and parents facing the devastation of life-threatening illnesses will have the help and support they so desperately need.
“Bradley’s passing will have a profound effect on everyone and we understand that people will want to reach out to support the Lowery’s. We would kindly ask on their behalf however, that that they are given the privacy they need as a family at this most unimaginably difficult time. We will continue to support them in whatever way we can.”
Sunderland will commemorate his passing almost immediately as they are playing a pre-season friendly with Bury later on Friday with the latter club saying they will hold a minute’s applause for him.
A Dublin team with everyone making themselves available to the team,will be a very dangerous team. And only a good thing for hurling. Next year you could have 4 teams in Leinster and be 5 teams in Munster that on anyones day could beat eachother.
@Jack Fogarty: you could possibly have 6 teams in Munster if it wasn’t for jackasses like yer man above.
Sorry Ger, but you’re just embarrassing yourself. And I don’t even like Dublin.
@Eoin Nolan: fu€k you
@Ger Martin: The truth hurts doesn’t it sweetheart?
@Ciara Baines: nope
I actually don’t give a fu€k what you think
I told the truth there and that’s why you are responding through bitterness
All you Dublin ponses are all the same
Take you out of the city in any direction and there will be traffic chaos as it’s like rabbits caught in headlights
Ha ha €unts all of ye
@Ger Martin: hahahahahahahahahahahahaha thanks for not disappointing Geraldine.
@Ger Martin: hahaha, no arguing with that!!!! Good man.
They will win fu€k all
The gaa will pump a load of money in as usual to have a manufactured team trying to play a traditional game against the lads that uts bred into since they came out of the cradle
And also with a fella that knows no more about hurling than a pig knows about having a holiday
You will see a glass eye growing out if a tom cats arse before you will see that crowd winning a championship
@Ger Martin: I take it you dont like the Dubs Ger
@Ger Martin: what about the nucleus
@Ger Lyons: the nucleus could do it
@Mervyn Queally: fu€k them
The dubs think the whole world revolves around them and everyone should bow down to them
I hope the piss is hammered out of them in every game they play
@Ger Martin: gilroy played both hurling and football with vinnys ya fool. All the lads who dropped off the panal will come back in. He led the footballers to the 1st sam maguire in 16 yrs im sure hes gonna have a huge impact on the hurlers.
To be fair, it’s comments like this that convince us how bloody thick the rest of the country is.
@ryan o sullivan: he led them
It’s you that’s the fool you fu€kin pri€k
Kerry fu€kin handed it to them
So what if he played club hurling with the vinnies you Dublin fu€kin ponse
That doesn’t make him an inter county manager
And as for being a player he wasn’t worth one bucket of goats shit you €unt
@BlueMagic: it’s a gas rant to read all the same, amazed he could post the comments before his exploded from all that Dublin hatred
@Ger Martin: Someone has serious anger issues. Get a great laugh out of your posts though so thanks for the giggles!
@Ger Martin: your comments are mighty, best laugh ive had on here in ages. We will beat the dubs for ya in SHC first round next year.
@Ciara Baines: fu€k you toots
Suck my dick
@Ger Martin: Doubt you even have one pet! At least not till you pass puberty.