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National
Kali Lindsay

Football club retires number seven shirt in touching tribute to Northumberland lad who died of cancer

A football club has paid a special tribute to a Berwick man who died of cancer.

Tweedmouth Amateurs FC have retired the number seven shirt in honour of their much-loved teammate Ryan Renton who wore the shirt when he played for the side.

Sadly, Ryan died earlier this month at the age 27 of after battling an aggressive form of leukaemia.

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Speaking on behalf of the committee, Kieran Bowell, 28, said: "He played for the club for a number of years and he always brought so much energy to the changing room and was the enthusiastic one.

"The number seven shirt is a famous one that everyone wants to wear and we thought it was the right thing to do to honour the amazing guy he was.

"Everyone wants the number and it shows the relationship Ryan had with the club."

Ryan Renton, 27, died after a brave battle with cancer (handout)

The framed shirt matches the same one Ryan wore when the side won the C Division League in 2017/18 and will be displayed in the club's new changing room.

Kieran said: "For me personally, every time I step out on the pitch it will be for my friend.

"In 2021/22 Tweedmouth Amateurs FC won B Division. When we went to lift the trophy we Facetimed Ryan. He gave the team that drive and energy.

"Every time we go out this season we will see the shirt and go out for Ryan. We are just super proud of him. He was a huge part of the club and we miss seeing him. Retiring the shirt was the right thing to do."

The shirt was presented to Club Vice-Captain Shane Macgregor and player and life-long friend Charlie Warcup.

Charlie said: "It is an honourable gesture by an amazing club that Ryan loved dearly, showcasing the profound impact he had on the team and the lasting legacy he left behind."

Ryan was diagnosed with leukaemia at the age of 19 in 2015 and endured a gruelling treatment and went into remission the following year.

Tragically, just three years later Ryan was told the cancer had returned but an attempt to beat the disease was unsuccessful.

After being told there were no further treatment options on the NHS family and friends rallied together to raise thousands of pounds to allow Ryan to explore alternative treatment options.

Ryan, who was a loving son to Tracy and Brian, and brother to Stacy, took part in a trial but the cancer kept returning and sadly he lost his brave battle on June 10.

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