The Norwich City faithful - and even Ipswich Town fans - have showed their support for the Canaries' mascot Ethan Thomas, whose mother died from cancer.

Eastern Daily Press: Simon Thomas and his wife Gemma, pictured in Dereham in 2004. Pic: Adrian Judd.Simon Thomas and his wife Gemma, pictured in Dereham in 2004. Pic: Adrian Judd. (Image: Archant © 2004)

Television presenter Simon Thomas and his eight year old son were left devastated in November last year when Gemma Thomas, Ethan's mother and Simon's wife, died at the age of just 40.

The Sky Sports presenter first tweeted the tragic news on November 26 and the committed Christian urged people to pray for his son.

Mr Thomas has been posting pictures on Instagram of what he calls 'snack notes' for his son, which he leaves in Ethan's lunchbox. And yesterday's note revealed that Ethan will be the mascot for today's game.

It read: 'It's Friday and I've got a feeling something good is coming your way. Tomorrow you're a mascot for Norwich City v Middlesbrough.

https://twitter.com/SimonThomasSky/status/959862435208364032

'You'll make Daddy SO proud. I love you Daddy xxx. OTBC.'

And Mr Thomas, who earlier tweeted it would be an 'amazing and emotional day', looked on proudly as his son walked out onto the Carrow Road turf with Canaries midfielder James Maddison just before kick-off.

The pair then took up their seats in the Geoffrey Watling City Stand next to Norwich City's joint majority shareholders Michael Wynn Jones and Delia Smith.

Following the game, Mr Thomas tweeted: 'A day that made me so proud and would have made his Mum just as proud. Thanks @NorwichCityFC for a lovely day.'

https://twitter.com/Madders10/status/959867740633944064

He also thanked James Maddison for 'being so lovely'.

And the City man responded with two tweets, including a picture of himself with Mr Thomas and Ethan. He wrote: 'What a lovely lad Ethan is as well Mate. You should be super proud,' and 'Great to meet you both today! #NCFCfamily'

And fans, delighted that the pair saw a 1-0 Norwich City victory, thanks to a goal from Tom Trybull, took to Twitter to offer their support.

Elisabeth Woodhouse posted: 'Ethan's strength brought us a win today. Hope you've both had a good day.'

A fan called Phoebe tweeted: 'Hope Ethan had a super awesome day being a mascot today and you felt the support from all of the Norwich family. We're all behind you.'

Mark Riches said: 'I hope you both had a fantastic day and glad that both sets of fans warmly applauded your little lad on.'

And Ipswich Town fan Matteo Roberto Leo even admitted today was the only day he has ever wanted Norwich City to win.

He posted: 'Genuinely pleased you won today (and I'm certain other Town fans will be too). Some things are more important than rivalries and I am so pleased @SimonThomasSky and Ethan will have some lovely memories of a great day.'

Lifelong Canaries fan, Norfolk-raised Mr Thomas, 44, has opened his heart about the pain and torment the death has caused him and Ethan in a powerful and poignant blog.

His wife died just three days after she was diagnosed with blood cancer. She had previously been to the doctors three times with flu like symptoms and was sent home to rest.

She was finally admitted to hospital when her condition continued to deteroriate and was found to have acute myeloid leukaemia.

Mr Thomas has been backing a campaign to educate GPs about the disease and to take blood tests from suspected sufferes.