TADCASTER’S new footbridge has been named after Sonny-Brogan Lang, the 23-year-old from the town who died this week after a courageous battle with cystic fibrosis.

Matt Gore, chairman of Tadcaster Albion FC, called for the tribute and was supported by Sonny’s mum Anna.

The idea has since been backed by local MP Nigel Adams, and North Yorkshire County Council director, David Bowe.

Sonny died on Tuesday, two days after her 23rd birthday.

She received a heart and lung transplant when she was four, the youngest person ever to receive a double transplant.

Mr Gore also announced today that supporters, players and club officials would hold a minute’s applause before Saturday’s match against Liversedge. The club will also play Sonny’s favourite song, Right Here by Jess Glynne.

Her parents told The Press on Tuesday that their fun-loving daughter had never let her condition prevent her enjoying life.

York Press:

Mr Gore said that as well as working behind the bar at the club, Sonny also helped her mother with tasks such as catering and cleaning kits.

"She was a beautiful person inside and out and we will miss her deeply," he said. "The name Sonny could not have been a more appropriate one."

He said the minute's applause and song were planned for just before Albion's first game at home since the ground was badly flooded just after Christmas.

The town's road bridge also partially collapsed during the floods, making it very difficult for pedestrians to get from one side of the town to the other, but the new footbridge is set to provide a crossing from Friday afternoon.

Mr Gore said the footbridge, which was pushed into place on the day Sonny died, would end in a ramp coming down into the club's car park, and he had approached local MP Nigel Adams and North Yorkshire County Council about the possibility of officially naming it 'Sonny's bridge.'

He said that whatever their response, it could still be named unofficially by the club through a plaque in the car park, and he was also planning a flower bed in Sonny's memory.

But on Wednesday afternoon, he wrote on the club website:

"The new footbridge in Tadcaster will be named 'Sonny's Bridge' in memory of Sonny-Brogan Clark.

"We would like to thank Nigel Adams MP and David Bowe, Director of NYCC, for their compassion, understanding and agreement regarding the community of Tadcaster referring to the temporary footbridge as 'Sonny's Bridge'.

"We will also be erecting a memorial garden near the entrance to the bridge, which will include a commemorative plaque in Sonny's memory.

"We would urge members of the community to join with us by referring to it as Sonny's Bridge in her memory."

He said Sonny had loved Right Here, and would sing and dance behind the bar when it came on. "I am confident that Sonny will always be 'right here' with her family and friends," he added.

Sonny's mother Anna said she was 'honoured' by the club's plans. "Sonny would have been honoured and delighted too," she added.