Minute’s applause for Wolves fan 'overwhelming'

Mitch Middleton was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour 1.5cm (0.6in) long

A minute's applause to remember a Wolverhampton Wanderers fan who died from a brain tumour was "amazing and overwhelming“, his family said.

Mitch Middleton - a mascot when Wolves secured promotion in the Championship play-off final in 2003 - was applauded by fans at Molineux at Tuesday's cup game against Everton.

The lifelong fan, from Tamworth Staffordshire, was diagnosed with an inoperable tumour in January and a fundraiser was started to help pay for treatment.

His uncle Chris Perry said fans had clapped in the 29th minute to reflect his nephew's age, with the first goal in the club's 2-0 win scored by Marshall Munesti, matching Mr Middleton's initials.

Mr Middleton walked out with then manager Dave Jones in the 2003 Championship final

Mr Middleton, who died earlier this month, began getting headaches while on holiday with his girlfriend in New York during Christmas 2023.

A CT scan went on to reveal a deep-rooted tumour which could not be operated on.

Friends and family set up a fundraiser and raised £250,000 towards private treatment in Israel.

"He went there as the T-cell treatment wasn't available here,"Mr Perry said.

"It was very expensive. He went in a wheelchair but came back walking - it sort of cured him.

"But headaches came back and he went to the QE [hospital in Birmingham] and went downhill - the secondary cancer killed him as it had spread."

Mr Middleton died on 17 September with both his family and his girlfriend with him, he added.

Chris Perry said it was "unique" that a Wolves player with the same initials as his nephew scored a goal during the match

Mr Perry said his nephew loved being a club mascot in 2003, which happened after the death of his father at the age of 35 in the same year.

He strode on to the pitch with the then Wolves manager Dave Jones and saw his beloved team beat Sheffield United 3-0 to secure promotion to the Premier League for the first time in 19 years.

"He loved it," Mr Perry added.

"The build up to him doing it was incredible... it was one of my best days ever."

Speaking about the tribute, Mr Perry said: "It was overwhelming to be honest.

"It's amazing and nice and unbelievable really. Just great."