Football clubs across Leeds raise number 7 shirts in memory of Jordan Banks

Nine-year-old Jordan was taking part in a one to one football training session on the Common Edge playing fields in Blackpool when he was reportedly hit by lightning at around 5.05pm on May 11, the Blackpool Gazette has reported.

Police, ambulance and air ambulance services were called following the freak accident, which happened during a sudden thunderstorm that was not forecast by the Met Office.

Jordan was taken to hospital with serious injuries where he later died.

Tributes have flooded in for the popular young boy, with more than £50,000 donated into a fundraiser for his family.

Now, Kam Mann 23 - a Leeds United fan - has called on football clubs across the country to hold up the number 7 shirt before matches this week in his memory.

Kam, who plays for Old Crooked Clock FC in Leeds Combination League, said he asked manager Lewis Speight if the idea could be spread on the club's social media page.

His idea has since gone viral on social media, with hundreds of shares by players who have joined the movement.

Kam told the YEP that he started the idea after being upset with the news of Jordan's tragic death.

He said: "Jordan was a young lad who loved his football and to be killed the way he did is unthinkable.

"I saw a post on his teams Facebook page that read ‘our number 7’ and instantly I thought of a way grassroots teams can come together to show support to the family from the footballing world.

"I came up with an idea of teams holding up their number 7 shirt this weekend before this weekend before their matches."

Rothwell Juniors were one of the first teams to show their support.

In a tweet, the team said: "We will be holding up the 7 shirt and doing a minute silence in memory of Jordan on Saturday before our game."

Kam hoped that many teams would get behind the idea in tribute to Jordan.

He added: "Word needs to spread as we want this to be a nationwide thing if possible.

"We want to see hundreds of pictures of teams holding their own number 7 shirts.

"I keep hashtagging #7 for him too."

On Thursday night, many clubs joined the movement and showed their support.

Pictures supplied to the YEP show Farnley and Leeds Alphas raising their number 7 shirts before their match.

Other clubs are expected to also show support across the weekend.

A spokesman for the Clifton Rangers Junior Football Club - where Jordan played - described him as a "shining light" in a tribute earlier this week.

The spokesman added: "We cannot begin to imagine the grief of the family. Our thoughts, prayers, love and hugs go out to them all and to his teammates, friends and coaches who are devastated by the loss.

"The club will be working with the FA to support the family and anyone touched by this tragedy and ensure they get the help they need."

Flowers, football shirts and cards have been placed on the field where Jordan had been playing in Blackpool.