 Monday, 7th Nov 2011 09:35 Doncaster striker Billy Sharp thanked fans from Town and from around the world for their messages of support after his side’s 3-2 victory over the Blues at Portman Road on Saturday. The 25-year-old, whose new-born son Luey died a week ago, was applauded by the home supporters after scoring his side’s second goal and when he was substituted late on. Sharp said: "I'd like to thank everybody across the world for the messages I have received - it really means a lot. "The Ipswich fans were fantastic, I had a lump in my throat when I scored and they did that for me, they didn't have to do that I'm an opposing player - I'd like to thank them for showing that respect to me." Sharp, the subject of Blues interest in the summer, feels the Portman Road crowd would be good supporters to play in front of: “It is a great club but it just wasn’t the right club for me at that point. “But it wasn’t because of this club. It is a great club and it would be a fantastic one to play for.” Town boss Paul Jewell said that while he would have preferred Sharp not to have scored against his team, the ovation showed the class of his club’s supporters: “I thought it was terrific. “Everyone knows about Billy’s personal tragedy and any football supporter or anyone with any humanity will know that he’s going through a tough time. “We wish him and his family well for the future. He’s a terrific player, there’s no doubt about that - he scores goals. Our crowd were obviously disappointed, but they are top class supporters.” Doncaster manager Dean Saunders wondered whether Sharp’s circumstances had a more general effect on the home crowd: “It’s a difficult place to come and play and it’s the least hostile I’ve seen the supporters. Maybe it was because of Billy. “Everybody can relate to it. It’s the worst thing that can happen to you, a baby dying. There are more important things than football.” The Welshman says that in terms of football Sharp couldn’t have done any more this week: “He’s had a tragic thing happen to him. But as a footballer he has had a week as good as it gets. “He phoned me the night before the game on Tuesday — ‘I want to play’. He got a brilliant goal [against Middlesbrough], he didn’t get the win but he got a goal for his boy and his family, and now he’s got a goal and he’s got the three points for his family as well. “He’s had a tough week and I gave him a breather in the last 20 minutes because he’s told me he’s run out of tears, he can’t cry any more. Obviously, he’s done well to get through the games.” The ex-Liverpool, Aston Villa and Derby man says Sharp has tried to treat training as he would in any other week: “He’s come in and been normal. He’s come in and has done what we’ve done. He’d prefer that. “I told him what I wanted from him against Ipswich, went over the set plays and everything and he’s been all right. He’ll go home pleased I think.” Saunders, someone who like Sharp found the net with great regularity against Town as a player, admitted that he might not be able to hold on to the former Sheffield United man if a big offer came in. Back in the summer the Blues had a £2.3 million bid rebuffed, along with a £300,000 offer for midfielder James Coppinger, who created two goals on Saturday, while Sharp turned down a move to Southampton after a £3.25 million fee had been agreed. Both sides have again been linked in recent weeks. Saunders said: “I don’t want to lose goalscorers. When you’re at the bottom of the league you don’t want to lose them. I’m sure they’re queuing up for Billy but I don’t want lose him, I want him to be in my team. “But if somebody comes along and offers us a ridiculous amount of money, the club would probably have to say yes. “But I don’t want to lose him, I want him to play for me because if you keep your best players, you get three points.” Photo: Action Images
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