West Ham goalkeeper 15, dies after cancer diagnosis
A “friendly and happy” West Ham United academy goalkeeper has died aged just 15 after being diagnosed with cancer.
Oscar Fairs, from Benfleet, Essex, was found to have a rare 7cm (2.8in) ependymoma brain tumor in August 2023.
He underwent seven surgeries, a round of chemotherapy and a round of radiation, but was told palliative care was the only option.
The club’s sporting director Mark Noble said he had “such a bright future but for him to be taken away from his family and friends at such an early age is unimaginably devastating”.
A donation page has been set up to help the family raise £100,000 for a treatment trial in France.
According to his family, the West Ham football player donated £27,000, chairman David Sullivan donated £10,000, and Arsenal football player and former West Ham star Declan Rice donated £5,000.
Mr Noble said: “Oscar was adored by everyone in the academy – not only was he a fantastic goalkeeper, he was a true Hammer warrior and a fantastic young man who was remembered by everyone who was lucky enough to know him He is deeply missed.
“I have great memories of Oscar playing in my garden – (my son) Lenny and his team-mates loved him.
“Everyone at the club sends our thoughts and sincere condolences to Oscar’s parents Natalie and Russell and his brother Harry and we kindly ask that the family’s privacy be respected at this extremely difficult time.”
All scheduled academy games over the weekend have been postponed as a mark of respect.
