Diagnosed three times with cancer
Ex-United talent dies at the age of only 36
April 18, 2025 – 2:54 p.m.Reading time: 2 min.
Grief in Great Britain: Ex-footballer Joe Thompson is dead. His youth club Manchester United is dismayed.
The former English footballer Joe Thompson died at the age of only 36. His youth club Manchester United announced this on Friday. In the “Red Devils”, Thompson had been trained until 2005 before he went to the Rochdale AFC, where he played for many years. Today’s fifth division also confirmed the death of the ex-player, who died on Thursday in Frieden in the presence of his family.
In an emotional statement on X, Manchester United wrote that the midfielder had embodied the club’s values. “He was a warm personality who has had a deep connection to our club since his youth. Our thoughts are with Joes family and friends in this difficult time,” it said.
Rochdale AFC said that Thompson was known as a talented footballer-but then quickly appreciated him “for his loving, infectious personality”. “He faced every challenge, both on the field and in life. His path and his unshakable fighting spirit are inspiration for everyone who knows his story,” wrote the northern English club.
Thompson was seriously ill several times during his lifetime. Cancer was diagnosed three times. He was able to defeat it twice before announcing in April 2024 that he had a lymphoma in the fourth stage. The cancer “came back very aggressively,” said Thompson at the time the BBC, but wanted to face the disease again. “The fight is definitely still in me, nothing changes,” he emphasized (you read more about this here).
Thompson had spent the longest of his career in Rochdale. He ran for “The Dale” three times. First from 2006 to 2012, then on a rental base in 2013 and at the end of his career from 2016 to 2019. With his goal against Charlton Athletic, he saved Rochdale 2018, at that time in the third -class League One, before relegation into the fourth division.