Stags boss sends prayers and best wishes to people of Manchester after terror attack

The city was rocked when a suicide bomber struck on Monday night at the Manchester Arena and 22 people, mostly youngsters, were killed and 59 injured after a show by US pop star Ariana Grande.

“Like many people I woke up to the shocking news very early,” he said.

“This sounds rather strange but the first thing I did was walk into my daughter's bedroom. I just had a little look and she was laying asleep.

“Like a lot of parents – our thoughts, prayers, best wishes, everything, go out to those who have lost loved ones.

“Also to the ambulance, fire brigade, police – all the services. They are just fantastic people.”

Evans had already spent time on Monday with 20-month-old cancer victim Dawson Willcock, from Sutton, whose family are attempting to raise £500,000 to fund specialist treatment in America.

That had left him emotional, even before the news from Manchester.

“Monday was quite pertinent with the young lad coming in to see us who is fighting for his own life,” he said.

“I think the people behind the scenes here will tell you I was quite touched by that. I had to go home.

“Then you wake up the next morning to what has happened in Manchester on top of that and it really does make you wonder where is the big fellow in the sky? But there is one and we have to believe in it.

“These are sad events for the people of Manchester. We are a small town in Mansfield and I live in a small village but our thoughts are with all of you.”