SHE is a lifelong Saints fan who passionately followed her team through thick and thin.

So when the family of teenage coma victim Sophie Wilkinson appealed to Southampton Football Club for its support, they were delighted when then chairman Leon Crouch agreed.

However, they were then left distraught when a change of board at St Mary's Stadium led to a change of heart.

Previously the club promised Sophie's dad Andrew that it would buy a table for Sophie's Gala Ball at a cost of £650 and donate an extra £1,000 to her community website to boost funds for Sophie's Gift, the charity set up by her parents with the aim of raising £300,000 to pay for a mobile head and neck scanner for Southampton General Hospital.

Up until now the family, from Bishop's Waltham, have been grateful for a signed shirt and the promise of recorded messages from Saints players.

Saints defend refusal to pay charity cheque- click here

However, when Andrew invoiced the club for the £1,650 he was told that as this was promised to them when Mr Crouch was chairman, it was Mr Crouch who had to pay.

The blow came just two days before the Wilkinson family celebrated Sophie's 18th birthday in hospital, where she remains in a coma, seven months after a car crash.

Over the past few months the 18-year-old's fight has captured the hearts of thousands, including Hollywood A-listers and top television stars.

Pirates of the Caribbean hunk Johnny Depp has taken the time to record two special messages to Sophie with a promise to visit, while Angelina Jolie, Amanda Holden and Sharon Osbourne have all pledged their support.

Eager not to let the family down, Mr Crouch personally paid the full amount within 24 hours.

He told the Daily Echo last night: "I think it's right and proper that the club should in its own way support charities like this one.

"But I feel honoured and privileged to support Sophie's Gift and I will continue to do so through any way I can."

Dad Andrew said: "Sophie is a massive Saints fan but days before her 18th birthday, they have just turned round and said they don't want anything to do with her.

"I can't believe they can do that to her. From the start we wanted Southampton to be heavily involved because Saints was Sophie's passion.

"Within days we received the cheque from Leon, so that just goes to show the integrity of the man. So we want to thank him for that."

Southampton Football Club declined to comment.