Dion Dublin was among the figures associated with Manchester United in attendance for former academy player Joe Thompson’s funeral, as his family and loved ones gathered to pay their respects.
Thompson, who came through Man United’s academy revealed he had been diagnosed with cancer for the third time last year. He was found to have stage four lymphona – a type of blood cancer.
He had previously been diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma in 2013 and recovered before the cancer returned four years later. He went on to recover a second time before calling time on his career in 2019.
His funeral in Worsley, Greater Manchester, was attended by a number of former team-mates, friends and figures from the club.
Dublin was joined by former Red Devils defender and Premier League winner with Leicester City Danny Simpson, as well as former Rochdale player Simon Ramsden and Danny Webber, who came through the ranks at Old Trafford.
Thompson’s family in fact invited anyone who wanted to pay their respects to attend the service in Worsley, with hundreds arriving on the day, and asked for donations to be made to charities supported by the former player.
Former footballer Joe Thompson died from cancer at the age of 36 earlier this year
Dion Dublin was among the former Man United figures in attendance at Thompson’s funeral
The service for Thompson took place at St Mark’s Church in Worsley, Greater Manchester
Thompson’s playing career included spells at Rochdale, Tranmere, Southport, Bury and Carlisle United, before he retired in 2019.
Fans from clubs that he played for were among those in attendance on Monday, with Rochdale’s co-chairman Simon Gauge also at the service.
‘He had a real zest for life. Everyone at Rochdale is incredibly sad – he was a wonderful man,’ said Gauge.
While the service took place inside St Mark’s Church, including touching tributes from his brother, Reuben, and partner, Chantelle, highlights from his career were played on screens outside. Videos of Thompson and his family were also shown.
The BBC reports that Thompson’s widow Chantelle told the service that the former player was her ‘soulmate… my rock… and my everything,’ adding: ‘I don’t know who I am without him’.
Thompson became a regular pundit on MUTV following his retirement and held an ambassadorial role, along with working as a motivational speaker and life coach.
‘A man who epitomised our club’s values,’ Man United said in a tribute following the announcement of his tragic passing in April. ‘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.’
His partner Chantelle paid tribute to her ‘soulmate’ and admitted ‘I don’t know who I am without him’
Danny Simpson came through the ranks at Old Trafford before winning the title with Leicester
Thompson’s family invited anyone who wanted to pay their respects at the service in Worsley
Fellow former academy player Danny Webber was also among those in attendance on Monday
Man United added that Thompson spearheaded the launch of the club’s academy alumni programme — named ‘United Once, United Forever’ — which they stated was an industry-leading formalisation of aftercare for former Academy players.
Thompson also raised over £20,000 for further treatment and testing to help future generations by completing a charity fundraiser titled ‘Walk with me for JT.’
He completed the 21-mile walk with fans, friends and team-mates from Old Trafford to Rochdale, via several stadiums in Greater Manchester.
‘If you were to say to me, maybe three or four months ago, that I’d be doing a 21-mile walk, I would have snapped your hand off because I was struggling to breathe,’ he told the BBC prior to the challenge.
‘The vision for me is to create a wellness centre that helps people with better testing, also finding the root causes [of cancer] and educating people.’
Having come through Man United’s academy Thompson spent the majority of playing career at Rochdale, making 203 appearances across three different spells, and was part of the side which was promoted to League One in 2010.
Thompson achieved hero status at the club on the final day of the 2017-18 season, scoring the only goal in a 1-0 victory which ensured the club avoided relegation to League Two.
Rochdale wrote on social media that the club was ‘devastated to learn of the passing of Dale legend, Joe Thompson’, adding that he had passed away peacefully at home with his family by his side.
