Coventry City send heartfelt message of support and plan tribute to young Sky Blues fan Keaton Slater

Coventry City have issued a heartfelt message of condolence and vowed to support the family of young Sky Blues fan Keaton Slater.

The 12-year-old was killed after being hit by a car which failed to stop on Radford Road in the city on Friday afternoon.

There has been an outpouring of love and support from fans on social media over the weekend while a Just Giving page was set up, initially to raise £7,000 to help the family with funeral costs. That target was then raised and duly smashed within hours, and raised again to £35,000. The running total now stands at over £38,000!

READ MORE: Tributes to boy, 12, killed in hit-and-run crash

READ MORE: Police name man wanted over Radford Road 'hit and run' death

The football club is planning to pay tribute to the schoolboy, which is likely to take place in a game at the CBS Arena when the pre-season or new Championship campaign gets underway in August.

The club said in a statement today: “ Coventry City are deeply saddened to learn of the tragic death of young supporter Keaton Slater.

“Keaton was a huge Coventry City supporter, and the thoughts and condolences of everyone at Coventry City Football Club and the entire Sky Blue community are with Keaton’s family and friends at this awful time for them.

“The Sky Blues will liaise with Keaton’s family to support them, and to help them to remember and to pay tribute to Keaton.”

Supporters have added their own thoughts and messages to the club’s social media post, with the club’s official CCFC Family Zone saying: “We send our love to you all. Thoughts are with you at this sad time. Fly high young man in sky blue heaven.”

Here are just a handful of some of the other messages from fans:

Ben Clay: RIP in little man. You will always be one of us. You will always be remembered.

J: As a father myself, I have no words for this. RIP lil man.

Asher: If he had an Season Ticket leave that seat vacant for the season or put flowers on it.

Jas: Honestly just the worst news. Can’t even imagine what the family are going through right now.

Mark Sephton: Tragic and so, so sad.

Woody: Nothing will ever take away the pain for the family and friends, but here’s hoping the person responsible is found and brought to justice. Sickening. So sorry for your loss.

* West Midlands Police have named and issued an image of a man they want to find after a young boy was killed in a 'hit-and-run' in Coventry. It comes after Keaton Slater died after being struck by a BMW at around 4.30pm on Friday (June 14). Read the full story HERE.