Bradley Lewis: Hanham Athletic Football Club pay tribute to ‘lovely lad’ who was ‘part of the family’

Hanham Athletic Football Club has paid tribute to one of its players, Bradley Lewis, who died in a suspected murder following an incident at a house in Kingswood on Friday.

Mr Lewis suffered serious injuries at the property in Chipperfield Drive on Friday night, and later died in hospital in the early hours of Saturday morning. Abigail White, 23, has since been charged with murder.

On Saturday morning, hours after Mr Lewis’ death, officials at Hanham Athletic heard the news and spoke to the centre-back’s father, who confirmed the tragic death ahead of the club’s first-team game against Bromley Heath.

A minute’s silence was held by both sides and all 87 supporters at the club’s home ground, Vicarage Road.

Mr Lewis, who had rejoined the club at Christmas after some time away, was due to play for the club’s reserve team away at Olveston United on Wednesday. Another minute’s silence is expected to take place in memory of the father.

Club chairman and secretary Bob Sperring told BristolWorld that the news had ‘shaken the entire club’.

He said: “I first had a text message saying Brad had died on the Saturday morning, so I spoke to the manager and then Brad’s father who sadly confirmed it and has since been in touch - I just couldn’t believe it.

“He used to play for the first team when he was 18, spent three or four seasons with us before leaving due to family issues, and then he came back at Christmas - he was part of the Hanham family, even when he wasn’t here.

“He was a centre-back, and a good one, but he was also just a lovely lad. I only spoke to him last week. I saw him having a conversation with someone and didn’t want to interrupt, but he turned round and shouted ‘Bobbers’, my nickname, and asked how I was.

“His death will have a massive impact, especially on the manager.”

Mr Sperring said the club will look to arrange a game with a raffle to raise money for Mr Lewis’ family. It is understood he has three children.

It comes as a fundraiser has been launched to help pay for the funeral, already raising almost £5,000.

Meanwhile, the family released a short statement through police this morning.

It said: “Our wonderful much-loved son Bradley, taken from us too early.”

Hanham Athletics' first team plays in the Gloucestershire County Premier Division, while the reserve team is in the Bristol and District League.

Mr Lewis’ death follows the passing away of a number of players and supporters in recent times, Mr Sperring said.

They include supporter Jordan Lupton, and players Sean Finnigan and John Tuck.

At Bristol Magistrates Court today, Abigail White, of Chipperfield Drive, Kingswood, was due to appear charged with murder.