The local football fraternity has expressed solidarity at this time with former football star and national senior coach, Theodore ‘Tappa’ Whitemore, who lost his son Jouvhaine on Saturday.

At this moment of grief, the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) family has offered their “deepest sympathy” for the family and friends of the senior Whitmore.

“May God give Theodore the strength to deal with this great loss, and may the memory of Jouvhaine bring light to the bereaved family hereafter.

“The Jamaican football family mourns with Theodore and our prayers are with the family during this most difficult period,” said a release from the JFF.

Meanwhile, president of the local governinng body of the sport, Captain Horace Burrell, said he was deeply saddened by the news and urged Whitmore to be strong at “this very difficult time”.

“It’s never easy to digest this kind of news, and to consider that the bulk of the JFF family was in Montego Bay celebrating football with the staging of the Under-17 Women’s Championship, when such a tragedy was unfolding.

“I personally want to extend my sympathies to ‘Tappa’, who has proven to be a very valuable member of Jamaica’s football set-up, and his family during this painful period… I wish them God’s guiding hand as they seek strength to persevere at this time,” Burrell said.

Young Jouvhaine, 13, is said to have been hit from his bicycle by a motor vehicle.