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Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson posted a heartfelt tribute to his mother Helen after she passed away this week.
The 23-year-old missed Forest’s victory over Porto in the second leg of their Europa League quarter-final on Thursday, with the club announcing the news ahead of Helen’s passing before kick-off.
A club statement read: “Everyone at Nottingham Forest Football Club extends its deepest condolences to Elliot and his family following this extremely sad news.
“Our thoughts and heartfelt sympathies are with the Anderson family at this difficult time.”
Anderson posted a gallery of family photos to social media on Friday with the caption: “Mum, you are the most special person I could have ever met. Laughing, smiling and dancing through every day giving us all such joy and happiness. You fought so hard for the past year with huge strength and resilience. The determination you have shown made me so unbelievably proud.
“I am forever grateful for everything you done for our family. You gave your sons the most amazing life and we were ready to pay it all back. All we wanted to do was make you proud. I know you are looking down on us and watching everything we do. We are all together. You are my biggest motivation. Rest in peace mum. Love you so much.”
Several of his club and England teammates commented offering their condolences.
Morgan Gibbs-White scored the only goal of the second leg to confirm Forest’s progress into the last four, celebrating by holding up an Anderson shirt which read “Family first, we are all with you” in tribute.
Morgan Gibbs-White held up a shirt paying tribute to Anderson after scoring the only goal of the game (PA)
Gibbs-White became emotional in his post-match interview, fighting back tears as he told TNT Sports: “Really emotional night. It’s a big shame, he’s an incredible kid and no one deserves this but we’re all with him.”
Forest won 2-1 on aggregate to tee up a first European semi-final in 42 years, where they will face fellow Premier League side Aston Villa.