The football world is mourning the loss of Joe Thompson, the former Rochdale player who passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, aged just 36. Thompson had become an inspiration to many after facing cancer not once, but three times, with incredible strength and courage.
He was first diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma in 2013 while playing for Tranmere. He beat it, only for the disease to return in 2017 during his second spell at Rochdale. Again, he fought through treatment and went on to recover. In March last year, Joe shared the heartbreaking news that the cancer had come back as stage four and had spread to his lungs.
AFC Rochdale confirmed his passing in a heartfelt statement, saying Joe died peacefully at home surrounded by his family. “We first knew Joe primarily as a talented footballer, but we would soon grow to adore his loving, infectious personality,” the club shared. “He faced every battle head-on, both on and off the pitch. His journey and indomitable spirit have been an inspiration for everyone who has been touched by his story.”
Joe was described as a devoted husband to Chantelle and a proud father to daughters Thailula and Athena Rae. The club said their first team players would wear black armbands in his memory during Friday’s match against Altrincham and will pay tribute again at their Easter Monday home game against AFC Fylde.
Thompson made over 200 appearances for Rochdale throughout his career. After his initial cancer diagnosis in 2013, he spent time at Bury and had loan spells with Southport and Wrexham while working hard to regain fitness. He returned to Rochdale from Carlisle in 2016, but the cancer returned soon after, leading to another intense round of treatment.
In June 2017, he announced he was cancer-free. The following year, in a truly emotional moment, he scored the winning goal that kept Rochdale in League One, on the final day of the season against Charlton. But in 2019, he made the difficult decision to retire, saying his body had been pushed “to the limit” by everything he had been through.
Joe started his career in the Manchester United academy and reflected during an interview with MUTV: “I never wanted to be known as a great or a good footballer. But if you ask me, do I want to be known as a great man? Now we are talking.”
After hanging up his boots, Joe became a passionate advocate for blood cancer awareness. One of his final campaigns included a 21-mile walk from Old Trafford to Rochdale’s Crown Oil Arena to raise funds and awareness.
His legacy now stretches far beyond the pitch, touching the lives of so many with his bravery, warmth, and relentless positivity.
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