CARLY SYKES has thanked everyone who rallied round her and young son Thomas following the death of her husband, former Margate striker Paul, last month.

She said: "I just wanted to take the opportunity to say a massive thank you to everyone who has supported Thomas and me over the past very sad, shocking and difficult few weeks.

"The posts on the club website forum pages, the hundreds of cards, the extremely generous donations and those that attended his funeral or the Kent Senior Cup final have all been completely overwhelming.

"I was so proud of him anyway but to have all the tributes to show Thomas in years to come is really comforting and although he will never know his dad, he will be able to learn about him from me, family, friends and all of you too.

"Paul idolised Thomas and spent so much time looking after him and telling him what they would be doing together in the future: playing golf, football, cricket, even going to the pub, and those things have so cruelly been taken away from Thomas, but I know that friends and family will be doing that on Paul’s behalf."

Meanwhile, Paul’s younger brother Pat is still selling yellow wristbands to raise money for Thomas’s trust fund.

They include the words "Loved, Respected, Missed".

Further details may be obtained by email to patsykes82@aol.com.