BRAD Quinton has expressed his heartfelt thanks for all the support he has received from supporters at Braintree Town and further afield in the footballing community during a tough time for his family.

The Iron manager’s son, seven-year-old Bobby, underwent surgery at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London last week to correct a serious heart condition and with the operation proving a great success, Quinton wanted to say thank you to everyone who had offered their support to him and his family.

He said: “Everything that has been done means so much.

“It has gone from people here at Braintree, right the way through the Conference South and leagues below and above.

“I’ve had so many lovely messages and it shows that football goes beyond the game with things like that.

“It shows the family that is there in football.

“The service that I’ve given to this club clearly means a lot with the reaction I’ve had from fans.

“That loyalty is appreciated and we all stick together when times are hard.”

Quinton has also been fundraising for the hospital where Bobby has been treated as he wanted to thank the staff there for the work they had done and added that support he had received for that also mean a lot to him.

He said: “Everything that people have done for Great Ormond Street is greatly appreciated because they rely on things like that and it’s a remarkable place and what they do.

“It means so much to me personally and my son.

“I wouldn’t wish what we have been through on anyone, but he is well and we’re grateful that we’ve found the problem and been able to cure it.

“It’s a great future that we have for my son now and I’m over the moon.”

Quinton’s fundraising page has now raised more than £2,000 for Great Ormond Street Hospital and can be found at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/bobby-quinton if anyone wishes to donate.