The young Sunderland fan died from terminal cancer in 2017
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09:38, 17 May 2025
Bradley Lowery being carried onto the pitch at Goodison Park by Romelu Lukaku
Bradley Lowery being carried onto the pitch at Goodison Park by Romelu Lukaku
(Image: Peter Byrne/PA Wire)
One moment at Goodison Park which will live long in the memories of football fans in both Merseyside and the North East is when Bradley Lowery was carried onto the pitch by then-Everton frontman Romelu Lukaku.
Sunderland fan Bradley was diagnosed with neuroblastoma - a rare form of cancer - when he was 18 months old and died aged six in 2017. He raised thousands of pounds for the Bradley Lowery Foundation, which continues in his honour to this day, with Everton donating £200,000. Today, May 17, just one day before Everton's Goodison Park farewell, is what would have been the young football fan's 14th birthday, with the ECHO looking back fondly on the time Bradley spent winning the hearts of all football fans across the country.
The young Black Cats supporter was welcomed wholeheartedly into Goodison Park by Blues fans in January 2017 as he became a mascot for the day as Ronald Koeman's men hosted Manchester City.
Bradley's idol was former Sunderland star Defoe, with whom he forged a friendship in his final few months. But he also struck up a rapport with Romelu Lukaku who carried him onto the pitch before the game against City.
Lukaku introduced Bradley to the Manchester City players before he was given the best wishes of a number of young Everton fans in the stadium.
The youngster was also handed a signed Man City shirt as he posed for photos with City manager Pep Guardiola in the tunnel ahead of the match.
Everton Football Club paid tribute to late Bradley Lowery by hanging a Sunderland FC shirt on the arm of statue Dixie Dean
Everton Football Club paid tribute to late Bradley Lowery by hanging a Sunderland FC shirt on the arm of statue Dixie Dean
Bradley was also present at Goodison when Sunderland visited in February 2017. The youngster wore a Sunderland shirt with a message of thanks for Everton stitched onto the back as Defoe carried him around the ground.
The Blues donated £200,000 in September 2016 to help with Bradley's fight against his illness and he was given a hero's welcome on both of his visits to Goodison.
His connection with Everton became even more evident after his death when then-chairman Bill Kenwright paid a touching tribute to Bradley. He said: said: “One of football’s all-time greats. We are so privileged to have known him and will always be proud that he chose us as his second club.
“We send our loving thoughts to his mam and dad and his family plus those who were inspired by him throughout the world of football.
“Especially our friends the supporters, team and staff at Sunderland AFC. And of course his beloved Jermaine. Respect!!
“Bradley Lowery. There’s only one Bradley Lowery.”
Everton and Sunderland shirts with the motif of the Bradley Lowery Foundation in September 2017
Everton and Sunderland shirts with the motif of the Bradley Lowery Foundation in September 2017
Following the death of Bill Kenwright in October 2023, Bradley Lowery's paid tribute to "Uncle Bill". In a heartfelt statement his family wrote on the Bradley Lowery Foundation Instagram page: "I am absolutely devastated to hear of the passing of Bill Kenwright, aka, Uncle Bill.
"Bill was a huge part of Bradley’s fundraising journey. He donated £200,000.00 to Brad’s campaign to access treatment abroad. That money then went into my baby’s amazing charity, on Uncle Bill's say so.
"He was an amazing gentleman who went above and beyond to help me and my family after Bradley went with the angels. Bill made sure we had time to grieve away from media, and whisked my whole family away so we could spend time together without intrusion.
"I had many long chats with Bill, always asking his advice, he was one in a million. I will never forget what he did for us. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends at this very sad time. Bradley will be waiting with his arms open ready to give you a big cuddle, like he did the first time he met you. Fly high Bill."