Michael Beale thanks 'incredible' Sunderland fans for 'emotional moment'

Sunderland fans gave Michael Beale a huge show of support in a tough personal moment, and he has thanked them for it.
Michael Beale thanks 'incredible' Sunderland fans for 'emotional moment'
Michael Beale thanks 'incredible' Sunderland fans for 'emotional moment' /

Michael Beale has thanked the ‘incredible’ Sunderland fans for the support shown to him and his niece Poppy.

Beale learned last week that his four-year-old niece Poppy was suffering with leukaemia for the second time in her short life.

During the fourth minute of the 3-1 home win over Plymouth, Sunderland supporters in the Stadium of Light held a minute’s applause to show their support – an action which clearly moved Beale on the touchline.

Jack Clarke pays tribute to 'top drawer' Sunderland teenage midfield duo

“I've just got to say thank you to the fans for that,” Beale said when asked about the round of applause in the fourth minute. “It's incredible.

“Obviously, my little niece, Poppy, she's been going for it for a long time. She actually rung the bell, which is a massive milestone, not new year, but the new year before, and then it's come back.

“She had a bone marrow transplant, and we got some horrible news on Wednesday evening.

“[It’s] difficult to take, but the fans today… that's incredible. It was an emotional moment for me, and I just want to say thank you to everybody.”

Poppy’s mother, Beale’s sister-in-law, also expressed her thanks to Sunderland fans, saying the whole family was ‘touched’ by the gesture.

“We’ve just seen the response from all supporters at the game,” Poppy’s mother wrote. “We are so touched.

“Thank you all. It’s very touching to see you all behind us and behind Mike too. Lots of love, from all the family.”


READ MORE SUNDERLAND NEWS


Published
Michael Graham
MICHAEL GRAHAM

Michael Graham is a professional sports writer with more than ten years of industry experience. After pursuing football writing by helping establish the Roker Report Sunderland AFC fansite, Michael moved to Planet Sport to cover football.  Michael has since worked on many of the sports sites within the Planet Sport network, including Football365, TEAMtalk and Planet Football before leaving to join 90min. As well as football, Michael is an accomplished tennis writer and has been regularly featured on Tennishead, TennisBuzz and Tennis365. It is football that is his first love, though, with Sunderland AFC his particular passion.  Contact: michael@buzzpublishing.co.uk