A footballing hero who battled back twice from cancer to play for his boyhood hometown is hoping to inspire a whole new generation of sporting superstars. Former Rochdale AFC footballer Joe Thompson, who was was thrilled to welcome his second daughter Athena Rae five weeks ago with his wife Chantelle, was part of a special welcome reception as the Rugby League World Cup trophy arrived in Bolton last week, ahead of the England men's team taking on France at the University of Bolton Stadium on Saturday October 22
After being inspired by Manchester United's iconic Class of 92 while growing up, he is hoping England women's national football team, also known as the Lionesses, will now pave the way for future aspirants after being crowned Euro 2022 champions this summer and beating World Cup champions the USA at Wembley on Friday.
Speaking to us from the Bolton reception he said eldest daughter Thailula Lily, 10, has a love of dance. "I would support her in whatever she wants to do," he said.
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"My mum encouraged us to get into sport, me and my younger brother, and to put football boots on. We've seen the Lionesses breaking down barriers. I'm a big advocate of getting into sport early."
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At the welcome reception were Bolton primary school children and members of the Westhoughton Lions, representing grassroots rugby league. The team successfully secured over £300,000 in investment for a new clubhouse through a CreatedBy grant provided by the Rugby League World Cup.
Joe proudly announced the arrival of baby Athena Rae on September 3. The joyous news of Chantelle's pregnancy was announced after the family went through the heartbreaking loss of their baby boy Dre Phoenix in May 2021. They tragically lost their baby boy 48 hours before his due date after his heart had stopped beating.
Sharing a gorgeous selection of photos on his Instagram from the 'spiritual', 'peaceful' and 'connected' home birth, he announced: "Welcome Athena Rae Thompson. This time last week, we brought new life into our hearts and our home.
"The goddess of wisdom has risen from the Phoenix’s ashes. The miracle baby we were told we couldn’t have arrived weighing 8lb 13oz on your due date. Devine timing! Your birth is a symbol of hope and victory born from the powers of thought and love."
In April he posted an image of beaming Chantelle and Thailula Lily, together with a hospital scan. The former midfielder and winger said in a Twitter post: "Miracles do happen. After cancer twice, a stem cell transplant, years of IVF and the heartbreaking loss of our baby boy Dre last May. We've been blessed with a natural miracle baby! I never make promises I can’t keep! Happy Tears."
And on Instagram he said they were told a natural pregnancy wouldn't be possible because of the stem cell transplant he underwent. He posted: "Baby Thompson due in August. Connecting your emotion to your vision, results in miracles. After years of IVF and the heartbreaking loss of our son Dre last year. We have been blessed with a natural miracle baby!
"Never let anyone define your destiny they said it can not be done! They said a natural pregnancy wouldn’t be possible after a stem cell replacement but here we are defying the odds! The rise of the Phoenix."
Joe, a former Manchester United youth player who also turned out for Tranmere Rovers and Bury, beat nodular sclerosis Hodgkin lymphoma in 2014 after six months of chemotherapy. But in March 2017 he confirmed that the cancer had returned after a tumour was found on his chest.
He stopped playing while he underwent more treatment - including a stem cell transplant - and was told he was in complete remission again after fighting back with the support of his wife, daughter, then Rochdale manager Keith Hill and his team-mates. He returned to football, and Rochdale, in December 2017.
At Spotland, Joe will always be remembered for his fairytale strike against Charlton Athletic in May 2018, which kept Rochdale in League One and sent rivals Oldham Athletic down to League Two - a goal he said 'meant the world to me.' He made his debut in May 2006 before signing professional terms and in total, made 182 appearances for Rochdale, scoring 19 goals
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