Pete Sixsmith wrote in his report from Bury that the ‘beautifully written elegy‘ from Salut! Sunderland‘s assistant editor Malcolm Dawson left no need for further words on the death of six-year-old Bradley Lowery.
He was right then, but is no longer.
Bradley’s hero Jermain Defoe has posted an eloquent, inspiring farewell to his brave little friend.
Read it for yourself below. It is a marvellous gesture and will mean the world to Bradley’s family.
As Sixer wrote when it became clear Jermain was heading for Bournemouth, he came to Sunderland as a footballer and left as a man.
And let us not forget Jermain Defoe was not alone in the support he gave Bradley and his family. Other players (recently) past and present chipped in, too. I saw heartwarming tweets from Jordan Pickford and Fabio Borini and plenty of the players still with us also gave support to the Lowerys.
This is what Vito Mannone told the Sunderland Echo: “Bradley was a special kid, a kid who gave me a lot and I am very honoured to have met him and his family.
“You realise that football is just a game and life is something more. This little boy kept smiling and smiling, everywhere he went he had a smile on his face. “He gave me so much. Sometimes a child can give you much more than an adult – that is what Bradley did to the world.”
Bill Shankley famously joked about football being a matter of life and death,it has a ring of truth though.It is sure brought a lot of pleasure to a little lad in his very short ,good on the players for living up to that.
And this one from don Vito
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40558569
Thanks Malcolm. Very nice interview. Vito comes over well – sincere and intelligent – and not a bad ‘keeper either.
In his short life, Bradley has arguably done more for the image of our club than all of the sponsorships, multimillion pound players, and highly paid managers put together.
There is a marvellous article in the sports section of today’s Sunday Times, by the usually cynical Rod Liddle, that I urge any football fan [ particularly Sunderland ones ] to read.
The little boy’s relationship with his hero and ” best mate ” Jermain Defoe has also elevated the former Sunderland striker to legendary status in the North East, and to a position of lasting respect in the rest of the football world.
What a legacy!
Rest in peace brave lad.