FOOTBALL fans from across the North-East showed their love for brave cancer battler Bradley Lowery at Sunderland’s last home game of the season on Saturday.

The five-year-old mascot, who has captured the nation’s heart, was once again carried out by his hero and ‘best friend’ Jermain Defoe.

Poignantly, it could be the last time the 34-year-old striker plays at the Stadium of Light for the Black Cats as the club’s relegation from the Premier League and a clause in his contract means he can be released.

A giant banner in the stadium with There’s Only One Bradley Lowery was held by supporters and the match day programme was dedicated to him.

On the back of the Bradley’s red and white strip was a message thanking Sunderland fans for their support.

He was carried from the field by his father, Carl Lowery, and his family have said he attended despite being in severe pain.

Afterwards, in a Facebook post, the family, from Blackhall Colliery in County Durham, said: “Bradley has had an amazing day, we didn’t think we would get there as you are all aware he is in a lot of pain with his legs and you could see this in the photos taken today. 

“We checked and double checked with Bradley if he still wanted to go to the match today and he insisted he was going. 

“He has fantastic determination and will power and who are we to disagree with him.

“I also thought we would leave early but Bradley had other ideas and stopped till the very end. 

“He is very tired now and we back at hospital chilling out watching Horrid Henry. 

“Thank you to everyone who supported Bradley today and bought a match day program.”

The family has also backed a controversial banner flown over the ground at Sunderland by Newcastle United fan Darren Curry.

The Northern Echo:

It read "United by cancer. Divided by leagues" in a dig at Sunderland’s relegation, but was in support of Bradley as well as other young sufferers of neuroblastoma including Hope Feeney, five, and Frankie Sherwood, three.

A social media campaign called #stopthebanner took place among some Newcastle fans with many saying it was in bad taste.

But the Lowery family said: “So it appears there has been a lot of controversy about the banner that is getting flown over the SOL.

“I would just like to say we don’t feel the banner is offensive or insensitive, I can understand why some people feel it is not appropriate.

“However the only thing we thought of when we heard about the banner is it was very thoughtful of people to want to raise awareness and raise funds for Bradley, Frankie and Hope.”