Ipswich Town players have paid tribute to three-year-old Noah Woods following the boy's tragic death. Captain Dara O’Shea and goalkeeper Christian Walton, alongside chairman Mark Ashton and director of performance Andy Rolls, laid a floral tribute at Merriam Close Playground in Brantham on Wednesday.
The club will wear black armbands in their next Premier League fixture, an away match against Everton on Saturday. The squad, currently 10th in the Premier League with six points from four games, is preparing for that trip to Goodison Park.
A message from the players was left with the flowers. "Words cannot express how deeply sorry we are for your loss," it read. "With love from Dara O’Shea, Christian Walton, and all the rest of the players at Ipswich Town FC. Xx."
Noah Woods went missing from the playground on Tuesday afternoon, prompting a major search involving over 1,600 community volunteers and emergency services. His father, Rhys Woods, later confirmed his son's body had been found, describing him as "the sweetest and most innocent little boy".
The community response was immediate, with the village's Co-op selling out of flowers for tributes. A book of condolence has been placed at Brantham Leisure Centre for residents and search volunteers. A JustGiving page set up to support Noah's family had raised £47,824 towards a £50,000 target.
Ipswich Town's players and staff expressed their solidarity with the family and the wider community. The club's gesture comes as the team focuses on their fixtures, with the Everton match offering a moment for collective reflection. The squad's recent form has been mixed, with two wins and three losses in their last five games, including a 4-2 defeat to Arsenal last weekend. The players will carry the memory of Noah with them onto the pitch this weekend.
The original report is at echo-news.co.uk
