West Ham supporters are calling for one minute’s applause for Hammers season ticket holder Jack Morrad who was tragically found in a Basildon fishing lake after being missing for twelve days
This morning Essex police released a statement saying “We can now sadly confirm that the body of a man recovered from a lake in #Basildon is that of missing Jack Morrad, 2 8. Our thoughts are with his family. Thanks to all those who helped our search efforts.”
This follows a facebook group announcement by one of Jack’s friend yesterday which reads: “On the 23rd of December our friend Jack Morrad went missing. Yesterday we received the unfortunate news that Jack had been found.
Jack was smart, funny and charismatic and one of the best friends you could ask for. Each and every person who ever met Jack has a funny story or a happy memory and it’s fitting that the last photo we have of Jack is him smiling. Jack was a brother, a son and a friend to all. No-one is ready to believe that Jack won’t be coming home and that we won’t see his infectious smile again.
Old friends, new friends and people who had never met Jack came together to try and bring our friend home. We’ve been incredibly touched by the response from the local community and we are proud and privileged to have met so many of you over the last few weeks. To all those involved there aren’t enough ways to thank you for being there to help when we needed you.
Given the news, we ask that at this time you respect the family and the friends and let us try and comprehend something which no-one should have to. If there are posters by you or on your way home, we’d ask you to please help us remove these with respect and care over the next few days.”
Many supporters on social media are calling for West Ham fans to join in for a minute’s applause on the 28-minute mark. The club is usually supportive of supportive of supporter crowd led tributes and will undoubtedly have a photo of Jack on hand for the big screens if the crowd break into spontaneous applause this afternoon.
Update: Thanks to everyone who joined in with applause on 28 minutes to make this happen!
Sad news the tribute was well observed even by the brum supporters who are the loudest I can recall at the stadium.