'Sorry for your loss'

Very poignant. Best wishes to Ed and his family.

So sad, but what a tribute to his little boy. Everything always resolves around football and Everton, for so many people, and I genuinely hope Ed makes it back to Goodison before we play our final game there, if just to honour his little boy William R.

September 17th is also my wife's Birthday she sadly has a terminal illness and will not see many more birthdays. My condolences to you and your family Ed and God Bless little William.

I'm very sorry, Len.

This is fine, funny, sad writing from Ed Bottomley.

"Beautifully shite" sums up quite a lot.

Superbly done Ed. Moved this grumpy old git to tears.

Len

Difficult, difficult time my friend. I pray your wife has a decent quality of life and you and yours will be celebrating a few more birthdays yet

Lyndon - Thank you for publishing this. Do you think Ed is still of this parish? If so, I send him sincere condolences, and thank him for a wonderful article.

Simply the best thing I have ever read on ToffeeWeb.

An extraordinary piece of writing. Thank you for sharing this with the world, Mr Bottomley.

Len #3, I lack the words. May there be joy and peace for you and your wife in the time that remains.

Great post. Beautiful tribute to young William. The importance this club of ours has in people's lives should never be underestimated.

Also thoughts are with Len. Keep your chin up mate, a terrible time for you and your family. The power of positive thinking can make a big difference.

And very best wishes to Len and Mrs Hawkins.

Hi Ed, such a poignant story, I'm struggling to express in words how I feel. for you and your family.

Yes, it's strange how Everton unites us all, yet can trigger such emotions that range between euphoria (not as often as we would like) and downright sadness too.

A very heart-wrenching account by Ed and also a reminder that there are some things in life that are even more important than Football and Everton of course!

Belated condolences to Ed and his family, and also a thank you for sharing his story with us all.

Len, my heartfelt sympathy goes out to you and your family. From bitter experience, I understand what you are going through. You will find great comfort on this website, I know I have. We are one big family that come together to share each other's distress, I find. Rest assured, from everyone here you will have our support. NSNO

Being a little bit selfish maybe, but I pray that the 8th March is one of those nice days when you can forget your troubles for just a little while, Len. I'm aware that you must be living with a constant pain in your mind, and can only echo the sentiments of everyone else, in wishing you some happy and peaceful times.

I must apologise to Ed after reading his wonderful story, the date 17th September hit home to me, being also my wife's Birthdate. I did not intend to derail his story and I feel heartily sorry that he and his family never saw William grow. Losing an infant must be the worst thing you could have happen to you.

And to everyone else, thank you so much for your kind thoughts.

My god, what a piece to write!

My heart goes out to Ed and Len and indeed to all ToffeeWebbers who are going through similar trials. My best mate from school is one such person and it is agonising to feel his pain. it puts into some perspective the behaviour of the idiots who are stockpiling at the expense of those who can't afford to or who can't physically do it. There are people out there who are genuinely suffering and those who aren't should get on with life with a glad heart rather than overreact.

Rant over. My best to Len and his family and what a poignant piece of writing from Ed. An unimaginable thing to get over!

This story puts life in perspective.

Fantastic fighting spirit by the Bottomley & Hawkins, families.

Superb, and my hope and prayers are with you at these difficult times, but the Everton band of brothers and sisters is unwaning and with us all in the difficult days that life brings us.

I visit this site every day, and most days I never feel the need to log in and make a contribution, but today this piece put my arm up my back and made me log in to comment.

Not just a very moving piece, but an incredibly well-written piece - warm, emotional, funny, informed and sorrowful all at the same time. I'm proud to be on the same team as this guy.

Thanks for sharing, Ed.

Before Ed's heartbreaking yet magnificently uplifting message slowly disapears from these pages, would it be possible for it to be put into a stand-alone piece that I can print?

To Len, I offer my hope that you and your wife can find a way through this vale of tears. 59 years ago and before the kids arrived the girl I married would accompany me to Everton's home and away games. She also suffers a terminal illness and it takes enormous effort for her to draw breath. We may be 12,000 miles from the terraces of Gwladys Street yet she never fails to whisper "How did we get on"?

I wish that more often I could give her a cheerful reply. I sometimes wonder if our players, coaching staff and directors fully appreciate what the club means to its loyal and long-suffering fans.