SHEFFIELD UNITED striker Billy Sharp has been subjected to vile abuse on Twitter over the death of his infant son.
Sharp’s son, Luey Jacob, died just two days after being born in late October 2011 from gastroschisis.
But a sick troll posted a repulsive message on the official Derby County Twitter after Sharp scored the first out of two goals for United during a 3-1 victory on Saturday.
The Twitter user called Jordan Byrne, believed to be a Rams fan, shockingly wrote “dead son”.
He then followed it up with “Billy Sharp’s son is dead” after being confronted by another Twitter user.
Sharp, 31, responded to his tormentor by tweeting: “Don’t s*** yourself now you have made the comments”.
Byrne then made his account private and removed his profile picture, before deleting his account completely.
Derby have since apologised to Sharp and vowed to show “zero tolerance” in identifying and punishing the fan.
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The club's director of communications, Paul Tyrell, said: "This is utterly repulsive behaviour which we condemn unreservedly and apologise on behalf of the club to Billy and his family for any distress caused.
"We will contact Twitter to ask them to identity the culprit and seek police advice as to what punishment we can meter out to this individual.
"We appeal to our own supporters to help us in this matter.
"If the perpetrator can be formally identified, he can expect zero tolerance and the maximum punishment from Derby County for this grossly offensive behaviour."
The tweets were also condemned by football fans from across the country.
Ben Smyth wrote: "This Jordan Byrne lad deserves a good kicking. Sure many would volunteer. #dcfc"
Tiernan Rhodes added: "His name is Jordan Byrne. Deleted his account now. Disowned by derby fans who apologised cos hes 2 p***y." [sic]
Derby County Talk wrote: "Give him a lifetime ban, @dcfcofficial. We don't want our club to be associated with scum like him. Apologies @billysharp10. #dcfcfans #sufc."
Daniel Warren said: "That Jordan Byrne is going to get a good pasting for that tweet alone I only live round the corner."
Luey was born on Thursday 27 October with gastroschisis - a birth defect that causes a rupture of the abdominal wall, which exposes the intestines.
Sharp was playing for Doncaster Rovers, his club at the time, against Middlesbrough in the Championship less than 72 hours after the death of his baby son.
He scored a stunning goal against Middlesbrough and memorably unveiled a message under his shirt, reading: "That's for you, son".
Sharp and wife Jade Sharp set up the LJS Foundation in his memory, to support and fund research for gastroschisis.
Shockingly, it's not the first time Sharp has been subjected to vile abuse following the death of his son.
A Barnsley fan chanted a song that mocked Luey's death in January 2012 and a Twitter troll spouted similar bile after Sharp had completed his £1.8m transfer to Southampton.
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