A 15-year-old West Ham youth goalkeeper who was described as “friendly and happy” died of cancer.
Oscar Fairs, from Benfleet, Essex, was diagnosed with a rare 7cm (2.8in) ependymoma brain cancer in August 2023.
He had seven surgeries, one round of chemotherapy, and one round of radiotherapy, but was informed palliative care was his only option.
Mark Noble, the club’s sporting director, stated that he had “such a bright future ahead of him, and it is just so unimaginably devastating that he has been taken from his family and friends at this age”.
Many football clubs and players have expressed tribute on social media, including Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and retiring Liverpool great Jamie Carragher.
A donation website has been set up to help the family raise £100,000 for a medical trial in France.
According to the family, West Ham players donated £27,000, chairman David Sullivan donated £10,000, while Arsenal and former West Ham player Declan Rice donated £5,000 each.
Mr Noble said: “Oscar was adored by everyone at the academy – he was not only a terrific goalkeeper, but also a true Hammer and a fantastic young man, who will be profoundly missed by everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him.
“I have beautiful recollections of Oscar playing in my garden—[my son] Lenny and
He was loved by all of his teammates. “The thoughts and sincere condolences of everyone at the club are with Oscar’s parents, Natalie and Russell, and his brother Harry, and we kindly ask that the family’s privacy is respected at this extremely difficult time.”
As a show of respect, all academy fixtures scheduled for the weekend have been postponed.
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