13 December 2024 , 17:49
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West Ham sporting director Mark Noble has shared the tragic news that the club’s Under-15s goalkeeper Oscar Fairs has passed away following a brave battle with cancer
West Ham have announced that their academy goalkeeper, Oscar Fairs, has passed away at the age of 15 following a brave fight with cancer.
Fairs was diagnosed with an ependymoma, a rare tumor that grows in the brain or spinal cord, in August 2023. After initially being misdiagnosed with mental health problems and migraines after suffering from heart palpitations, right-sided weakness, headaches and sickness, an MRI scan found that Fairs had a 9cm tumour on the left side of his brain, attached to his motor system, with three cysts on the outside.
The tragic news of his death was shared by sporting director Mark Noble in a heartfelt statement on Friday afternoon. The statement read: "On behalf of everyone at West Ham United, it is with deep and profound sadness that I confirm the tragic passing of our U15s Academy goalkeeper Oscar Fairs, following his brave battle with cancer.
"Oscar was adored by everyone at the Academy - not only was he a great goalkeeper, he was a true Hammer and a fantastic young person, who will be deeply missed by everyone who had the pleasure to know him.
"I have wonderful memories of Oscar playing in my garden - Lenny and his teammates all loved him. He was a friendly, happy, well-mannered and polite young man, who 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.
"As a mark of respect, all scheduled Academy fixtures this weekend have been postponed, including this evening’s PL2 Under-21 match against Stoke City. In due course, the Club will also share information on our plans to pay tribute to Oscar, and we will ensure that his name is never forgotten at West Ham United.
"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.
"Rest in peace, brave Oscar."