Former Southport FC club captain and midfielder Joe Thompson has tragically died at the age of 36.
Josh played for Southport FC between 2015 and 2017, playing 56 games and scoring three goals.
Southport FC will lead a minute’s silence during their home game against Chester today, with players wearing black armbands in tribute.
In January 2017, he suffered a career threatening knee injury. Aged 25, he had a ruptured patella tendon in the 2-1 FA Trophy defeat to Wealdstone in January 2017 month after catching his studs in the ground.
Fans rushed to raise money to support him during his injury.
He recovered and later signed for Macclesfield Town in July 2017.
Sadly, Josh was diagnosed with cancer for a third time in April last year, five years after he retired from playing.
He was found to have stage four lymphoma – a type of blood cancer – which had spread to his lungs after twice recovering from the disease during his playing career.
The Bath-born player began and finished his career with Rochdale, and had three spells with the club.
Rochdale said they were “devastated” and that he had passed away peacefully at home on Thursday with his family by his side.
“We first knew Joe primarily as a talented footballer, but we would soon grow to adore his loving, infectious personality,” Rochdale said.
“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.”
A Manchester United spokesperson said: “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.”
Josh was first diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma in 2013 and again in 2017.
But, after twice being given the all-clear, he notably went on to score the goal which saw Rochdale avoid relegation from League One in 2018.
He retired from playing in 2019 after making 203 appearances for Rochdale and saying he had “pushed his body to the absolute limit”.
He came through Manchester United’s academy from the age of nine before going on to join Rochdale, where he spent the majority of his 13-year career.
He also played for Southport, Tranmere Rovers, Carlisle United and Bury.
He was first diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma while at Tranmere in 2013 and was given the all-clear the following year.
After being diagnosed with cancer again in March 2017 during his third spell with Rochdale, he was able to return to football during the 2017-18 season after being told he was in “complete remission”.
Following the end of his playing career, Josh worked in the media as a pundit as well as mentoring and as a motivational speaker.
In October 2024, he took part in a 21-mile fundraising walk in order to raise awareness of cancer treatments following his third diagnosis.
About 300 people took part in the walk from Manchester United’s Old Trafford stadium to Rochdale’s Crown Oil Arena home.
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