Torquay United captain Chris Hargreaves says the Gulls squad has been hit hard by the news of Chris Todd's diagnosis with leukaemia.
The 27-year-old Welshman told the team before their 4-1 win over Lewes at Plainmoor on Tuesday night.
"The lads were really devastated and some couldn't come to terms with it," Hargreaves told BBC Radio Devon.
"It was just silent, it was a really poignant moment for Toddy and themselves," he added.
Torquay set a new club record of 15 games without defeat on Tuesday, and equalled the club record of eight successive victories.
606: DEBATE"It was extremely quiet in the changing room before the game. The stereo normally goes on but I think out of respect no-one wanted to press that button.
"It's a massive shock and you just can't find the words for it, it's just so out of the ordinary," Hargreaves said.
The team waved Todd's number six shirt after Tim Sills' opening goal on Monday in tribute to their friend and the skipper added that the way Todd has taken the news is an inspiration for the rest of the side.
"Having seen him and the way he is, you can't get the lad down, he's an absolutely top lad.
"He's a real fit lad and if anyone's going to fight this, it's going to be him, and everyone's there for him""It's been really refreshing for everyone to see how he's taken it and the sort of character he is.
"That's why it hit people so hard, because he is such a great lad. You can't come across a stronger lad than him."
And Hargreaves has no doubt that he will overcome his illness:
"He's a real fit lad and if anyone's going to fight this, it's going to be him, and everyone's there for him."
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