Rochdale and Manchester United have both paid heartfelt tribute to former midfielder Joe Thompson, who has died aged 36 after battling cancer.
Rochdale announced on Friday that Thompson had on Thursday passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family after fighting the illness for the third time.
Thompson was a youth-team player and came through the academy at Manchester United between 1998-2005 but spent the majority of his senior football career at Rochdale, making over 200 appearances for the club across two permanent spells between 2006-12 and 2016-19, having also played for Tranmere, Carlisle and Bury in addition to loan stints at Wrexham, Southport and another at Rochdale.
Thompson became an inspirational figure after twice overcoming cancer and famously scoring the winning goal against Charlton that kept Rochdale in League One on the final day of the season in 2018.
He had initially been diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma while at Tranmere in 2013 before being given the all-clear the following year after chemotherapy.
Thompson was diagnosed with cancer again in March 2017 at Rochdale and entered complete remission before returning to the pitch in December that year.
He eventually retired from football in 2019 after consulting with doctors and became a motivational speaker, life coach and football pundit, also taking on an ambassadorial role at Manchester United and raising money for charity.
Thompson revealed in April 2024 that he had been diagnosed with cancer for the third time.
We're devastated to learn of the passing of Dale legend, Joe Thompson.
— Rochdale AFC (@officiallydale) April 18, 2025
Our thoughts are with Joe’s family and friends at this incredibly sad time.
One of our own 💙#RAFC
In a statement on Friday, Rochdale said: “Joe, who had been bravely battling cancer for a third time, passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, with his family by his side.
“Known by those close to Rochdale as ‘Joey T’, he made over 200 appearances for his local team, representing the badge with pride.
“We first knew Joe primarily as a talented footballer, but we would soon grow to adore his loving, infectious personality.
“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.
“Above all of that, Joe was a loving husband to Chantelle and an incredible father to Thailula and Athena Rae.
“Our thoughts are with Joe’s family and friends at this incredibly sad time.”
Rochdale confirmed they will pay tribute to Thompson ahead of their next National League home fixture against AFC Fylde at Crown Oil Arena on Monday, with players to wear black armbands away at Altrincham on Friday.
A man who epitomised our club's values ❤️
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) April 18, 2025
We are saddened to share that Joe Thompson has passed away.
A warm personality who had a deep connection with our club from a young age, our thoughts are with Joe's family and friends at this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/40ddQpyRTi
Manchester United paid their own tribute to Thompson, writing on X: “A man who epitomised our club's values.
“We are saddened to share that Joe Thompson has passed away.
“A warm personality who had a deep connection with our club from a young age, our thoughts are with Joe's family and friends at this difficult time.”
The Club asks supporters to join in a minute’s applause in memory of Joe Thompson starting on 7 minutes of today’s home game against Doncaster Rovers. pic.twitter.com/IlOt5vySYE
— Tranmere Rovers FC (@TranmereRovers) April 18, 2025
Tranmere, who will hold a minute’s applause before their game against Doncaster on Friday in memory of Thompson, wrote: “The Club is extremely saddened to learn of the passing of Joe Thompson at the age of 36.
“The Club sends its condolences to his wife Chantelle, children Thailula-Lily and Athena Rae, his family and friends.
“Joe was an inspiration to all those who knew him.”
