ALAN Sheehan admits he has been “overwhelmed” by the support from City and the fans since the sudden death of his mother.

Anne passed away the same night that City beat Morecambe in the Capital One Cup. The left back missed the Walsall game after flying to his native Ireland for the funeral but returned for the 3-1 win at Crawley.

Sheehan has been touched by the warmth of the reaction as he tries to come to terms with his loss.

He said: “It’s probably been the hardest week of my life. I was in complete shock when I got the news about mam.

“I missed Walsall and was half-thinking in my head that I was coming back too soon on Tuesday.

“But I felt like I needed to repay the players here, the fans, the staff and everyone at Bradford for the support they have shown. It was overwhelming.

“I will owe them as long as I’m here. I can’t speak highly enough about the countless messages – it’s been unbelievable.

“I’ve not been here long but I’ve been welcomed very well. I need to thank everyone.”

Sheehan spent four days back home but has found that football is the best way of coping.

“I can’t describe how hard it’s been but to get back into the usual routine was the only option.

“If I’m on my own, it’s not really good. I need to be playing football and with the boys and my loved ones.

“Mam wouldn’t want me missing any football. She followed every game that I played and always prayed that it went really well, so I’ll do what she wishes.

“The boys have been brilliant. It’s great to have that support.

“Everybody was together after the game on Tuesday night and it was as good as it could be.

“Moments like that bring people closer together. I would call those boys my family now.”

Unfortunately Sheehan’s mother never got the chance to watch him play for City after his summer move from Notts County.

He added: “She was going to come up to Ireland but unfortunately she was sick.

“But the last game she was alive I scored (a penalty) against Coventry and she was very emotional on the phone. Maybe that was my goodbye goal for her.”