The football world got together to pay homage to former player, Lenny Johnrose, whose death was recently announced.
The former Blackburn Rovers player, who 502 game playing career also included spells at Preston North End, Hartlepool and Swansea City and Bury, was diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND) - a disease that affects the brain and nerves for which there is no cure - in 2017.
Following the diagnosis, he set up the Len Johnrose Trust to raise funds and awareness of the disease.
The Trust announced the death as they paid tribute to the man who set up the charity to raise awareness about the disease. A spokesperson said: “We are heartbroken to tell you that our leader, Len Johnrose passed away this morning.
“Len was an incredibly proud husband and father. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this very sad time.”
His brother, Johnson, who is a leading Media Contact at the Caribbean-based STATIA organisation said on social media: “We lost our Len today”, before going on: “Len has been nothing short of courageous, inspirational, heroic even. While we knew this day would come, we could never be truly prepared for it. We will forever be proud of you.”
The Preston-born defensive midfielder, who began his career as a young trainee at (Blackburn) Rovers, gained ‘hero’ status at Swansea after he helped the Welsh club avoid relegation from the Third Division – and out of the Football League – by scoring three crucial goals that season. After football, he enjoyed a career in teaching - his former school, St Silas Primary School said: “Sad to hear that one of our former teachers Len Johnrose has died.”
Following the announcement of his passing, his hometown club Preston tweeted their "sadness" at the news of his passing, whilst Burnley added a tribute, saying: "You'll always be a Claret," while Blackburn also paid their respects.
Swansea, for whom Johnrose scored in their comeback 4-2 win against Hull City on the final day of the 2002-03 season to preserve their Football League status, held a minute's applause and wore black armbands during their match against Millwall last night.
He was 52.
