Campaign launched to name Tadcaster footbridge in Sonny's memory

Tributes have poured in following the news that the incredibly popular Sonny Lang died on Tuesday, aged 23, after her lifelong battle with Cystic Fibrosis.

The club, where Sonny worked for seven years and was an ardent fan, have already announced they will be holing a minute's applause in her honour on Saturday.

Their chairman, Matt Gore, has now proposed an additional tribute by naming the town's new footbridge 'Sonny's Bridge' when it opens on Friday.

He said: "Sonny was the heartbeat of the club, having worked in the bar and the catering area for many years with her mum and her friends.

"But she was not just an employee, she was a huge fan. She was friends with the players, fans and staff so it's truly devastating.

"The fans want a stand named after her or a part of the ground, possibly the bar where she worked, especially when we get the new facilities.

"But we've spoken to the county council and Nigel Adams MP about officially naming the new footbridge after her."

The club are also hoping to erect a memorial plaque and flower garden in Sonny's memory by the entrance to the footbridge in the club's car park.

Tadcaster Albion are set to play their first game at the i2i Stadium on Saturday, following the devastating Boxing Day floods that washed away the town's bridge.

It will be the first time Albion have played there in 70 days but Mr Gore said the match will be tinged with sadness.

He said: "There will be part of us celebrating that we are back here playing because the community spirit shown in this town has been phenomenal.

"But this will be tinged with sadness because Sonny won't be here in body to help us celebrate, but she will be here in spirit.

"We've decided to hold a minute's applause because I don't think Sonny would want anyone to be mourning her departure.

"Instead she would be saying 'celebrate my life, move on and be happy'. Both her and her mother Anna would want people to celebrate that she lived a full life."