Tributes paid after rugby player died
WILL FORSYTH, 24, WAS FIGHTING CANCER
THE rugby league community is in mourning after a young player sadly died.
Championship club the Dewsbury Rams have announced that winger Will Forsyth, 24, passed away on Tuesday.
The Halifax-born player had been diagnosed with cancer.
In a heart-rending eulogy, his best friend Thomas Clee said Will had fought the killer disease without complaint but had sadly passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones.
“I can’t put into words what he meant to me,” he wrote in a tribute that he allowed the Examiner to publish.
“He was like a brother ever since we first met. From being diagnosed with cancer, not once did he complain or let show that he was in pain.
“He battled hard but Tuesday marked the end of a true legend, and the best friend anyone could ask for.
“I hadn’t seen him for eight weeks thanks to Covid-19 and was looking forward to grabbing some more food with him after all this is over.
“He was taken far too young, and I’ll never forget him, rest in peace my brother. I know you’ll be looking down on me taking the p**s for crying about you, love you always you beauty.”
Will was in the Ram’s reserve team but had played for the first team on numerous occasions and had once been on the books of the Bradford Bulls.
The club, which plays in the second tier of professional rugby league, paid tribute to him with a statement on their website. It said: “Will made his first team debut for the Rams on Sunday 22nd March 2015, in a 28-18 Challenge Cup win against Newcastle Thunder.
“He also played against Warrington Wolves in the Cup quarter-final defeat in May of that year. Will was an integral part of the successful Dewsbury Rams Reserves team that lifted Reserves Championship trophy in 2015 with victory over Leigh Centurions in the Grand Final in September. He usually played as a winger while at Dewsbury, but was equally adept at full-back or in the centres. Will previously enjoyed a spell on the junior books at Bradford Bulls, and was known as an elusive runner and talented finisher.”
The Rams Reserves team was coached by Jonathan Schofield, who paid tribute to Will.
He said: “Will played a big part in the team. He went about his business in a quiet way and was always professional.
“Will was a good lad to coach and he had the respect of us all, especially his team mates. He was great to have around the dressing room and he will be sadly missed by everyone.”