EVERTON paid touching tribute to Alfie Humphreys after the 11-year-old fan’s sudden death.
The Toffees displayed two images of the schoolboy on the big screen during Monday night’s win over Southampton.
Alfie Humphreys died suddenly last weekCredit: Family handout
Everton paid touching tribute to the schoolboy after his sad deathCredit: Twitter / @Everton
And they asked fans watching along from home to applaud in his memory in the 11th minute of the Premier League game.
The message on the big screen read ‘in Loving Memory of Alfie Humphreys’ and last week they tweeted ‘we’ll be thinking of you, Alfie.’
The schoolboy tragically died suddenly in his sleep and was described by his mum as having a ‘heart of gold’.
Alfie, from Cheshire, was found dead by his heartbroken mum Nicola Whitfield on Friday as she desperately tried to wake him up.
She described promising footballer Alfie as her ‘best friend’ in a touching tribute.
The 35-year-old, of Widnes, said: “He was such a lovely boy and he had a heart of gold, and I know everyone says that about their children, but he would have done anything for anyone, especially me.
“He’d have done anything for me, absolutely anything. He was my best friend.”
Everton-fan Alfie had started secondary school last September, and his mum said he was ‘coming out of his shell’ as he made new friends and settled in.
Nicola and Alfie’s dad Wayne Humphreys, 43, have been left devastated by his death, as has his step-dad Harry Pierce.
Alfie was an older brother to siblings Dylan, Charlie, Riley and Jamie – who Nicola says he ‘absolutely doted on’.
“He couldn’t do enough for them,” she added.
“He used to always come down and play-fight with them.”
Step-mum Lisa Barton said Alfie was a ‘massive Everton FC fan’ and was always playing football with his friends.
“He’s played football since school, but even in pictures of him as a toddler he had a football,” the 34-year-old added. “He loved playing football.”
Mum Nicola said Alfie ‘couldn’t wait’ to go and see his favourite team play.
She added: “I’ve asked all my neighbours to put flags out for him, he absolutely adored the club.”
A fundraising page has since been set up by Linzi Davies on behalf of Widnes FC to support Alfie’s family with funeral costs.
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Writing on the GoFundMe page, Linzi said: “The whole of the close-knit Widnes FC family is shocked and saddened.
“Alfie was an integral part of the U12 Wyverns team and above all else a friend. His loss has sent shockwaves through us all.
“In true Widnes FC spirit, we know we will all come together as one, like we have always done, to show our love and support for an amazing young footballer and his family.
“Our thoughts and love go out to everyone close to Alfie at this incredible sad time.”
Everton vs Southampton as it happened
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
