UPDATE: |Tributes as former Rochdale footballer Joe Thompson dies aged 36 News

Dale said Joe ‘faced every battle head-on’ and praised his ‘indomitable spirit’, describing him as an ‘inspiration for everyone’

Former Rochdale footballer Joe Thompson – a fans’ favourite for his tireless work both on and off the pitch – has died after being diagnosed with cancer for a third time.

In a post on social media, Rochdale AFC said all at the club were ‘devastated’ to learn of his passing – and described Joe as a ‘legend’.

Fans are set to pay tribute to Joey T at today’s Good Friday National League derby away at Altrincham.

Dale said on X, formerly Twitter: “We’re devastated to learn of the passing of Dale legend, Joe Thompson. Our thoughts are with Joe’s family and friends at this incredibly sad time. One of our own.”

The father-of-two was 36. The club said he passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, with his family at his side.

In a full statement on social media, Dale said Joe ‘faced every battle head-on’ and praised his ‘indomitable spirit’, describing him as an ‘inspiration’.

It was announced by Joe himself in April last year that he was fighting cancer for a third time, stage four Hodgkin lymphoma.

The Bath-born former Manchester United youth player, who also turned out for Tranmere Rovers and Bury, beat nodular sclerosis Hodgkin lymphoma in 2014 after six months of chemotherapy.

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In March 2017, however, he confirmed the cancer had returned after a tumour was found on his chest.

He stopped playing while he underwent more treatment – including a stem cell transplant – and was told he was in complete remission again after fighting back, returning to football and Rochdale in December, 2017.

He retired in 2019, after making more than 200 appearances for Dale.

At Spotland, Joe will always be remembered for his fairytale strike against Charlton Athletic in May 2018, which kept Rochdale in League One and sent rivals Oldham Athletic down to League Two – a goal he said ‘meant the world to me’.

He made his debut in May 2006 before signing professional terms and in total, scored 19 goals for Rochdale.

The club added in a statement: “Rochdale Football Club is devastated to learn of the passing of Joe Thompson. Joe, who had been bravely battling cancer for a third time, passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, with his family by his side.

“Known by those close to Rochdale as ‘Joey T’, he made over 200 appearances for his local team, representing the badge with pride. We first knew Joe primarily as a talented footballer, but we would soon grow to adore his loving, infectious personality.

“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.”

Tributes to Joe from football fans and other clubs across the country are flooding in on social media.