Football fans paid an emotional tribute to a six-year-old aspiring footballer from Dundee who suddenly died last week.
Jack Stewart, who played for amateur side Dundee West FC (DWFC), passed away unexpectedly on Sunday May 7, prompting an outpouring of tributes from his team and the wider community. DWFC has retired his player number, number 19, in his honour.
Dundee United FC led calls for the Tangerines fan to be remembered in the sixth minute of the club's fixture against Ross County on Saturday. The club offered tickets to the boy's family, and his 2016s teammates, so they could be present.
Thousands of fans paid tribute on Saturday afternoon, while Jack's image was projected onto Tannadice Park's digital scoreboard during the sixth minute of play. Junior games hosted over the weekend across the area also held minute silences before their matches.
A fundraiser launched by DWFC to support Jack's family has raised over £16,000. The Sidlaw View Primary School pupil's funeral service is set to take place on Thursday – mourners are asked to wear something tangerine in honour of his favourite club.
Dundee's Little People Nursery, which hosted Jack as a toddler, said in a tribute on Friday: "Jack attended our nursery from he was just months old until he left us to go off to school in 2021.
"Jack was the most amazing, clever, kind and caring little boy with a beautiful cheeky smile that could melt your heart and a personality to match. We will all be forever grateful for those memories that we all hold.
"The Stewarts are a massive part of our Little People Nursery family and we will continue to support them and little Rebecca in any way we can. This Thursday 18th May, can we ask that everyone wears something with a hint of tangerine to show our love for Jack. Thank you so much."
Speaking to the Record earlier this week, Jack's bereft mum Jillian said the support she and her family had been given had been vital.
She said: "Jack was the light of our lives. He has left all of us brokenhearted. The years Jack gave us were so happy and special and we will miss him terribly.
"Although it does not ease the pain, we are overwhelmed by the good in people and wish to thank everybody for their kind messages and gestures. It has given us some comfort and this incredibly difficult and tragic time."
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