Joe Thompson’s daughter has paid a heartbreaking tribute to her late father after he tragically misplaced his battle with most cancers aged 36 on Thursday.
Thompson, who got here via Manchester United’s academy and spent a lot of his enjoying profession at Rochdale, was identified with most cancers for the third time final yr.
He was discovered to have stage 4 lymphoma which had unfold to his lungs after twice recovering from the illness earlier than his retirement from soccer in 2019.
Thompson turned a daily pundit on MUTV after hanging up his boots and held an ambassadorial function alongside his work as a motivational speaker and life coach.
He handed away peacefully at residence along with his household by his aspect.
Tributes flooded in after his demise, together with from a lot of his former golf equipment, and on Sunday, United shared a touching video that includes a voiceover from his daughter Lula.
Joe Thompson’s daughter Lula has paid a touching tribute to her late dad after his demise
Thompson (pictured with daughters Lula, Athena Rae and spouse Chantelle) misplaced his most cancers battle
He had twice recovered from the illness earlier than retiring from soccer in 2019
In it, she narrated the story of his life, sharing tales of his success on and off the pitch, and in a tear-jerking second declared Thompson to be the ‘best man’.
‘He all the time wished to be referred to as an ideal man, however I can say my dad was the best man,’ Lula mentioned. ‘The very best dad to me, my sister Athena and the very best husband to my mummy Chantelle. I really like you a lot, dad.’
Thompson’s spouse Chantelle, the mom of their two kids Lula and Athena Rae, paid tribute to her husband in a message she ‘thought I’d by no means have to write down’.
‘Our courageous and brave Joey handed away within the early hours of Thursday morning, he was at residence the place he wished to be in a gorgeous peaceable setting surrounding by his household when he transitioned,’ Chantelle wrote.
‘Joe has made such an affect on so many individuals and we’re all perpetually grateful for him blessing us along with his presence and for being so sturdy and staying with us so long as he did towards all the chances.
‘He was essentially the most unbelievable husband, son, brother, good friend & father to our lovely daughters who will now carry his gentle and legacy on and I’ll proceed to maintain filling them up with Joe’s love each single day.
‘It has been an extended battle, and one which he fought with all his would possibly and he did issues HIS approach! He select his path and walked each step with braveness and pleasure rising nearer and nearer to god every day while nonetheless being there for thus many others.
‘He held on to his plans for the long run to proceed that legacy but it surely’s now time for him to relaxation up and watch over us from heaven.
Chantelle penned an emotional message to her husband, saying he was ‘courageous’ and ‘unbelievable’
‘The world won’t be the identical with out his contagious power’, Chantelle added
Thompson turned a motivational speaker in his retirement in addition to engaged on MUTV
‘I do know he can be deeply missed by everybody and the world won’t be the identical with out his contagious power. Lengthy might his legacy and affect stay on!’
United described Thompson as ‘a person who epitomised our membership’s values’.
‘We’re saddened to share that Joe Thompson has handed away,’ they mentioned.
‘A heat persona who had a deep reference to our membership from a younger age, our ideas are with Joe’s household and mates at this tough time.’
Thompson spent seven years in United’s academy earlier than becoming a member of Rochdale in 2006. He went on to make 203 appearances throughout three totally different spells.
His most interesting second got here when he scored the one aim in a 1-0 victory on the ultimate day of the 2017-18 season, guaranteeing the membership prevented relegation to League Two.
Rochdale wrote on social media that the membership was ‘devastated to be taught of the passing of Dale legend, Joe Thompson’, including that he had handed away peacefully at residence.
‘Our ideas are with Joe’s household and mates at this extremely unhappy time.
United paid tribute to Thompson, stating that he ‘epitomised our membership’s values’
Rochdale, the place Thompson spent the vast majority of his profession, mentioned they have been ‘devastated’
‘One in every of our personal. We first knew Joe primarily as a proficient footballer, however we’d quickly develop to adore his loving, infectious persona.
‘He confronted each battle head-on, each on and off the pitch.
‘His journey and indomitable spirit have been an inspiration for everybody who has been touched by his story. Above all of that, Joe was a loving husband to Chantelle and an unbelievable father to Thailula and Athena Rae.
‘Our ideas are with Joe’s household and mates at this extremely unhappy time.’
