FANS lit up a stadium during Bolton’s televised derby match against Bury as a “fitting tribute” to a brave football-loving teenager.
To mark the youngster’s age when he died Zak Vali was remembered in the 15th minute of Monday’s away game at the Gigg Lane stadium, in which two Zach Clough penalties secured victory for Wanderers.
Sports-mad Zak – son of boxing promoter Asif Vali – lost his year-long battle with Ewing’s sarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer, in September 2015.
Supporters used the screens and torches on their phones and other gadgets as a mark of remembrance to the Rivington and Blackrod High School pupil.
It happened a third of the way through the first half of the match being screened live on Sky Sports after being organised by Bury FC’s press officer following a Twitter tip-off.
Mr Vali said: “Thank you again to Bury FC and Bolton Wanderers supporters.
“I was overwhelmed with everything and it was fitting tribute, Zach scored both goals for Zak’s memory.”
It was the Bolton Wanderers Fans Facebook group who organised via social media the original Light Up The Macron tribute when Bolton played Birmingham at home just days after Zak died.
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