Clayton Donaldson dedicated his winning goal in Brentford’s 2-1 victory against Crawley Town to his Mum, who died last week.
Clayton’s Mother – 50-year-old Jennifer Morris – died on Sunday January 17 of heart failure.
The striker explained she died hours before Brentford’s FA Cup with Budweiser Fourth Round Replay against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge and he found out after the final whistle.
The striker spent a few days at his family home in Bradford but returned to play in Brentford’s npower League One game against Walsall on Saturday, February 23.
He started against Crawley and scored the crucial second goal that gave The Bees the points.
After scoring he took off his shirt to reveal a message ‘For You Mum’.
He said his Mum would have wanted him to carry on playing.
“My Mum passed away a week on Sunday, which was tragic,” the striker explained after the match.
“I wanted to send out a message
“The last week or so has been really difficult.
“It would have been easy to take a few weeks off but I know my Mum would have wanted me to play.
“That’s why I played tonight and on Saturday.
“Every goal I score will be dedicated to her.
“My Mum used to take me to games when I was younger, all the way up
“She has been to many games this season too.
“She has played a big part in my career; she was a blessing for me.
“I have been in Bradford ever since it happened.
“I came down on Thursday night and played on the Saturday.
“That was really tough.
“But this is a good place for me to be.
“This is where I enjoy my stuff.
“She is looking down on me now, watching me, and this is what she would have wanted.
“It’s been emotional but it will drive me on in the future.”
Clayton said the Brentford players and staff had been supportive of him since they found out.
He said being within the dressing room was a good place for him to be at the moment.
“The lads and staff have been terrific ever since they found out,” said the striker.
“They have sent me messages and called me.
“I couldn’t ask for me.
“Everyone has been there to help, offering a helping hand.
“It is a good place for me to be psychologically.
“It will be a difficult time for me personally but I have great support.”
Clayton’s goal came when he beat three Crawley defenders and goalkeeper Paul Jones to a Harlee Dean ball forward.
The striker knocked it past them and rolled it in to an empty net.
He had been in the thick of the action – winning a penalty in the first 30 seconds that prompted referee Lee Collins to send off Crawley defender Matt Connolly but then missing it.
He then set up Sam Saunders for Brentford’s first goal before scoring the second.
“It happened before,” said Clayton, telling Bees Player about his goal after the match.
“I nipped in front of the keeper and if I had got a better touch I would have been in.
“It happened again and I knew what I would do.
“I took the touch towards goal and made sure I scored.
“After you miss a penalty those are the sort of chances you want straight after.
“I knew I was destined to score so I could dedicate it to my Mum.
“I knew it was her doing.
“I have a Guardian Angel watching over me.
“Even though I missed the penalty I knew I would get a goal.”
Brentford seemed in control at half time but Manager Uwe Rösler was unhappy with their second half performance.
Adam Forshaw was sent off and Crawley pulled one back but Brentford took the win.
Clayton said winning without playing well was a good sign and better than recent games when Brentford had dominated but not won.
“The Manager said afterwards that he wasn’t happy,” said the striker.
“in recent games – like against Bury and Walsall – we have played teams off the park and not got anything.
“To come here, not play well and get something is a great feeling.
“That shows how far we have come.
“We need to improve.
“We could have managed the game a bit better.
“The sending off didn’t help us but we pulled through and stuck together.
“We came under a bit of pressure but the defence was terrific.”
Bees Player subscribers can click here to see a full video interview with Clayton Donaldson.