A JUNIOR football team has chosen to support St Michael’s in a show of solidarity to a teammate whose dad died there.

Ross Juniors Under 12s Colts are sporting shirts bearing the logo of St Michael’s this season after hearing how much 10-year-old team member Layla Watkins had been helped by the Hospice.

Layla’s dad, Andrew Watkins, died at St Michael’s on June 1.

He was an avid Liverpool fan who attended a game at Anfield with a St Michael’s Hospice nurse and his other daughter, Evie, back in April. He died just 15 minutes after the Reds lifted the Champions League trophy by beating Tottenham.

"The girls just wanted to do something to show their support for Layla," said Andrew’s mum, and Layla’s grandmother, Sue Watkins.

"My husband, Charlie Watkins, also died at St Michael’s just seven weeks after Andrew.

"The dedication, love and support given by everyone at St Michael’s was just mindblowing. I’ll always be indebted to them. They are such special people."

Hospice supporters Brenda and George Corfield, who are relatives of the team’s manager Kevin Evans, supported the sponsorship to tie in with their 50th wedding anniversary.

"We were very touched when we heard that Ross Juniors Under 12s Colts will be wearing shirts bearing the logo of St Michael’s," said Ruth Denison, the Hospice’s Income Generation and Marketing Director.

"For those so young to be so thoughtful is extremely moving and we are very grateful to them and to everyone at the club for their generosity.

"We wish them every success for this season and beyond."