Joe Thompson, the previous expert footballer and inspirational speaker, passed away on April 17, 2025, at the age of 36. His existence turned into a testimony to resilience, having battled most cancers 3 instances and rising as a beacon of wish for many.
Early Life and Football Career
Youth Development at Manchester United
Joe Thompson started his football career at the Manchester United Academy in 1998. Spending seven adolescence there, he honed his abilities and evolved a deep reference to the club. Manchester United later defined him as “a person who epitomised our club’s values” .
Professional Career Highlights
In 2005, Thompson transitioned to Rochdale, wherein he made a substantial impact. Over stints with the club, he collected 203 appearances and performed a pivotal position of their merchandising to League One. His profession additionally protected spells at Tranmere Rovers, Bury, Wrexham, Southport, and Carlisle United.
Battling Cancer: A Journey of Resilience
First Diagnosis and Recovery
In 2013, whilst playing for Tranmere Rovers, Thompson developed Hodgkin lymphoma. After present process treatment, he made a great recuperation and again to expert football.
Second Battle and Triumphant Return
The most cancers again in 2017, however Thompson’s dedication noticed him through any other spherical treatment. His comeback turned into not anything brief of heroic; in December 2017, he scored the aim that ensured Rochdale’s survival in League One .
Third Diagnosis and Final Battle
In April 2024, Thompson stated he had been identified with degree 4 Hodgkin lymphoma, which had spread to his lungs. Despite the competitive nature of the sickness, he remained optimistic, stating, “The combat remains inside” . He surpassed away peacefully, surrounded with the aid of using own circle of relatives, on April 17, 2025.
Life Beyond Football
Motivational Speaking and Mentorship
After retiring from expert football in 2019, Thompson committed himself to motivational speaker and mentoring. He toured Championship golf equipment as a part of the EFL Life Skills programme, sharing his stories and galvanizing younger athletes .
Media Engagements
Thompson has become a normal presenter for Manchester United TV, reading fits and discussing academy prospects. He additionally co-commentated for BBC Radio Manchester and presented “Squad Goals” each Saturday .
Authorship
In his autobiography, Darkness and Light: My Story, Thompson precise his adventure thru expert football and his battles with most cancers, imparting readers an intimate investigate his existence and the demanding situations he overcame .
Personal Life and Legacy
Thompson turned into a committed husband to Chantelle and a loving father to daughters Thailula and Athena Rae. His own circle of relatives turned into a regular supply of electricity and idea during his battles.
His legacy extends past the football pitch. Through his motivational speaker, media engagements, and private tale, Thompson stimulated limitless people to stand adversity with braveness and dedication.
What cancer did Joe Thompson have?
Joe Thompson had Hodgkin lymphoma, a sort of blood cancer that influences the lymphatic system, that is a part of the immune system.
He turned into identified with it 3 instances:
First prognosis in 2013 – whilst playing for Tranmere Rovers.
Second relapse in 2017 – he beat it once more and again to play for Rochdale.
Final prognosis in 2024 – he found out it had again and unfold to his lungs (degree 4). Tragically, he passed away on April 17, 2025, at the age of 36.
His braveness in preventing the sickness and his public openness stimulated many throughout and past the football world.
Joe Thompson Net worth
As of April 2025, there’s no publicly available statistics concerning Joe Thompson’s net worth. Thompson became acknowledged for his profession as an expert footballer, basically with Rochdale, and later as a motivational speaker and media contributor. While he had a successful profession, precise economic information about his profits or internet really well worth have now no longer been disclosed in public facts or media sources.
In summary
Joe Thompson’s existence tale is an effective testimony to human resilience and the indomitable spirit. His adventure is encouraging and may be remembered for years to come.
FAQs
When did Joe Thompson skip away?
Joe Thompson passed away on April 17, 2025, at the age of 36. He died peacefully at home, surrounded with the aid of his own circle of relatives, after his 0.33 struggle with most cancers.
What sort of most cancers did Joe Thompson have?
Thompson was identified with nodular sclerosis Hodgkin lymphoma, an unprecedented shape of most cancers, at age 23 in November 2013. He overcame the sickness two times earlier than it again in April 2024 as degree 4 lymphoma, which had spread to his lungs.
What have been Joe Thompson’s contributions after retiring from football?
After retiring in 2019, Thompson has become a motivational speaker, sharing his stories to encourage others. He additionally labored as a media pundit, existence coach, and ambassador for Manchester United, conducting numerous network and adolescents programs.
Did Joe Thompson write a book?
Yes, Joe Thompson authored an autobiography titled Darkness and Light: My Story, wherein he precise his adventure thru expert football and his battles with most cancers, imparting insights into his resilience and dedication.
How did the football network react to his passing?
Clubs like Manchester United and Rochdale paid heartfelt tributes, highlighting his braveness, spirit, and contributions to football. Rochdale deliberately put on black armbands in the course of their upcoming in shape and honor Thompson in the course of a domestic sport on the Crown Oil Arena.
What is Joe Thompson’s legacy?
Joe Thompson’s legacy extends past the football pitch. His battles with most cancers and next advocacy paintings stimulated many, making him an image of resilience and positivity. His tale maintains to encourage people dealing with adversity.
How did Joe Thompson make contributions to the football network after his playing profession?
After retiring from expert football in 2019, Joe Thompson has become a motivational speaker, existence coach, and media presenter. He labored with corporations just like the EFL Life Skills programme, mentored younger athletes, and shared his stories to encourage others dealing with adversity.
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