Bluebirds star Brad Barry has launched a fundraising appeal to help teammate Lewis Hardcastle following the news that he is to retire from professional football.
Hardcastle has been forced to step away from the game due to medical advice, following investigations which uncovered an issue with his heart.
The devastating news has left players and fans alike shaken, and Barry was keen to try and do something positive in a bid to show Hardcastle how much everyone cares.
“This guy worked so hard on himself to be the best athlete he could,” wrote Barry, in setting up the Go Fund Me page on Thursday afternoon.
“He was a role mode for younger footballers and his attitude and love for the sport was an inspiration.
“I thought this money could help him proceed on with his next step, however he chooses to spend it.”
Barry set a target of £10,000 and donations had already topped £2,000 by Friday morning as fans and players dug deep for Hardcastle, who played a key role in last season’s promotion and skippered the team back in to the EFL.