Losing my mother was so tough... but I've got my smile back now and hope I am making her proud

JAIDON ANTHONY hopes his achievements with Burnley this season would have made his late mum Donna proud.

- BY DAVID ANDERSON

The 25-year-old has played a key role in the Clarets' promotion success, the attacker having scored seven and laid on another seven.

Promotion makes his loan move from Bournemouth permanent in a £10million deal and he admits he has got his smile back after the most harrowing of times last season.

Anthony was left reeling when Donna (above) died unexpectedly back home in London in January while he was on loan at Leeds.

"Last year I had a really tough time, I lost my mother," Anthony told Mirror Sport.

"Nothing can really prepare you for that. It wasn't like it was an expected death, so it was tough. But that's life, isn't it?

"I'm grateful for the people I had around me, the support of the club as well.

"Leeds were unbelievable, how they supported me through that time.