Burton Park Wanderers to dedicate today's game to its biggest fan

Jay from Burton Latimer underwent several years of treatment in both the UK and America to give him the best chance of beating a brain tumour, but he lost his brave fight on Thursday, January 7.

Family and friends gathered at Burton Park Wanderers Football Club on Thursday to pay their respects at the club he loved so much.

Jay then made his final journey in a horse-drawn carriage behind a fire engine from the club, past Meadowside Primary School and through the town before arriving at the church for the service.

Chairman of Burton Park Wanderers Stewart Glendenning read the eulogy at Jay’s funeral and said the church was ‘heaving’.

Speaking yesterday (Friday), he said: “It was the most fitting tribute that we could have had for Jay.

“We managed to get roads closed, people stood for us, people came out and emptied the shops to pay their respects.

“The family were gobsmacked, they couldn’t believe that people would do this.

“But I said to them that it is because Jay touched so many people’s hearts.

“The kids came out from the school to say goodbye to Jay and Saturday is everybody’s final opportunity to say goodbye at Jay’s football match.”

Jay’s brother Ryan will lead the Burton Park Wanderers team out with the match ball for the game against Bugbrooke today (Saturday).

The players will wear t-shirts with Jay’s picture on to warm up in and every age group from the club will be represented at the game.

There will be a minute’s silence followed by a round of applause in celebration of Jay’s life.

Balloons will be released ‘so Jay can play with them in Heaven’ and there will be a collection for Burton Latimer Ex-Servicemen’s Association and the Luke Lester Fund.

Adults are being asked for a contribution of £3 but admission for children under-16 is free.

Mr Glendenning said: “The club was everything to Jay.

“As I said in the eulogy, there is such a hole that this little boy has left behind, but I am absolutely convinced it will never be filled because it is too deep.

“Jay is up in Heaven now with the angels.

“There’s a poem in the memorial programme for Jay which talks about how the angels wanted to play football and they wanted one more player for the squad.

“That sums up how everyone is feeling.

“Jay was so special that someone else wanted him.

“We had the best supporter that any club could ask for and he was only 12 years of age, that means so much to me.”

Dats Print Services of Irthlingborough has produced the memorial programme, which is being sold for £2.

For more information about the match, which kicks off at 3pm, go to www.bpwfc.co.uk.