Members of the family of former Burgess Hill Town FC and Sussex manager the late Jim Thompson were moved to tears when hundreds of football fans paid him a personal tribute at a match.
Jim's widow Penni, and daughters Sacha and Louise, were in the large crowd that clapped for a minute before the start of the Burgess Hill-Brighton friendly at Leylands Park.
Penni posed smiling bravely for a picture before the applause but cried at the crowd's response. She said: "It was wonderful, brilliant of them."
Albion fielded a strong side, including Thompson family friend Gary Hart, who scored Albion's second goal in the 2-0 win in front of more than 1,300 spectators, one of Burgess Hill largest crowds for a friendly match. Albion's opener was netted by Steven Thomson.
Jim, who died on Saturday from cancer, also leaves grandchildren Oscar, four, and Theo, one.
His funeral is next Thursday at noon at Holy Trinity Church, Cuckfield.
The family has invited mourners to give money to St Peter and St James Hospice at Wivelsfield Green instead of flowers.
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