NEW dad Mike Fondop has thanked his Oldham Athletic “family” for the support he has received since starting his own family.

The striker’s partner gave birth to their daughter earlier this week, and although both were said to be doing well they had remained in hospital until yesterday (Friday) after Honey-Faith arrived slightly earlier than expected.

Fondop had been at their side in hospital, leaving only to travel to Chester for the FA Cup fourth qualifying round replay, in which the 28-year-old equalised to make it 2-2 in extra time and secure a penalty shoot-out, which Latics won 4-3 to set up a first round meeting with Wrexham.

“I thought he did great, I thought he led the line well. He did great for the first goal and scored the second,” said manager David Unsworth of Fondop, who provided the assist for Ben Tollitt’s opener.

“What people don’t know is that he’s had two days in hospital because his girlfriend’s had a baby, so we’re absolutely thrilled for him, and the dressing room gave him a great round of applause at the end.”

And Fondop, who took his shirt off in celebration after his equaliser, and celebrated the shoot-out win with a Cameroon flag and sucking a dummy in recognition of his newborn, took to Instagram to express his appreciation of the support he had received from everyone connected with Oldham Athletic.

“I wanted to thank the Gaffa, my teammates and the entire staff for their support these past few days whilst my partner and baby are in the hospital,” he wrote.

“It might be work but I consider you guys to be family.

“As wished by the entire team, that goal and assist were for my new daughter Honey-Faith and my Superwoman who’s been so strong.

“Also thank you to the fans for travelling and their unwavering support."

After taking home his daughter from hospital, Fondop posted on Instagram to share his happy news and thank the NHS staff.

"Daddy's Honey is coming home," he wrote.

"The NHS is truly wonderful. The care and support we've received from the Midwives, Doctors, Nurses and support staff over the last few days has been remarkable. They really are all worth their weight in gold.

"We should never take the NHS for granted.

"Welcome to the world Honey-Faith Deline Fondop."

Fondop has hit goalscoring form, with four goals in his last seven games, and Unsworth added: “Mike is a great guy and when we get him running at the goal and we get him holding the ball up and spinning, in this league at this level, he’s a real handful.

“He’s scoring goals and we’re getting a tune out of him, which is brilliant.”