Hatters skipper Bradley thanks Luton fans for messages of support after father passes away

Luton captain Sonny Bradley has thanked the club's fans for their message of support after his father, Ray, passed away last week aged 57.

The Town skipper missed matches against Norwich and Swansea to be with his family, but returned to the side for Tuesday night's 0-0 draw at Coventry, producing a wonderful performance under the incredibly difficult circumstances.

Writing in his programme notes ahead of today's match with Preston North End, Bradley said: "Firstly, I wanted to say thank you to all the supporters and everyone at the football club who has supported me and my family at this tough time.

"Although I might not have acknowledged every message, I certainly have seen every one and I do really appreciate them. It has helped massively.

"Not only have I lost a dad but the club have lost a supporter as well, because since I’ve been playing for Luton Town, my dad has been there home and away, 99 per cent of the time.

"My dad is my strength and he would want me to keep on playing and keep doing our family proud, and that’s exactly what I’m going to do.

"Whilst I was back up in Hull, I kept training on my own. It was difficult, but I knew that I needed to stay fit because as soon as I could come back, I knew that numbers were low and I could be needed.

"When I came back in on Monday, the manager asked me how I was feeling and if I was ready to play, and I told him straight up that I was.

"He put me straight in against Coventry and it was something I wanted to do."

Bradley will now run out in front of a crowd for the first time since late February, with supporters back inside Kenilworth Road once more.

On the prospect of doing that, he added: "I’d watched the Norwich game and spoke to a few of the boys, they were delighted that the fans were back and told me how much of a difference it made.

"I watched the game myself, and I could see that extra bit of energy injected into the squad.

"For me, that could only be from the fans, so today with 2,000 of you here, hopefully there will be even more noise and energy and we can project that into the way we play.

"If we are all together, it can only be positive for the result against a Preston side we know will be tough opposition."