A “friendly and happy” 15-year-old West Ham academy goalkeeper has tragically passed away after battling cancer.
Oscar Fairs, from Benfleet, Essex, was diagnosed in August 2023 with a rare 7cm (2.8in) ependymoma brain tumor.
Despite undergoing seven surgeries, as well as rounds of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, doctors eventually determined that palliative care was the only remaining option.
The club’s sporting director Mark Noble said he had “such a bright future ahead of him, and it is just so unimaginably devastating that he has been taken from his family and friends at this age”.
Many football clubs and players, including Real Madrid keeper Thibaut Courtois and retired Liverpool star Jamie Carragher, have paid tributes on social media.
A donation page was set up to help the family raise £100,000 towards a treatment trial in France.
According to the family, West Ham footballers donated £27,000, chairman David Sullivan donated £10,000, and Arsenal footballer and former West Ham star Declan Rice gave £5,000.
Mr Noble said: “Oscar was adored by everyone at the academy – not only was he a great goalkeeper, he was a true Hammer and a fantastic young person, who will be deeply missed by everyone who had the pleasure to know him.
“I have wonderful memories of Oscar playing in my garden – [my son] Lenny and his team-mates all loved him.
“The thoughts and sincere condolences of everyone at the club are with Oscar’s parents, Natalie and Russell, and his brother Harry, and we kindly ask that the family’s privacy is respected at this extremely difficult time.”
As a mark of respect, all scheduled academy fixtures for the weekend have been postponed.