Victory is dedicated to Joey T
KEITH Hill dedicated Saturday’s 4-1 win against Gillingham to Joe Thompson, following news the 28-year-old was battling cancer for the second time.
Thompson overcame nodular sclerosing Hodgkin lymphoma in 2014, while at Tranmere, after a six-month course of chemotherapy.
But it was announced last week that the popular player was facing a second fight with the disease.
Hill, whose father died last month, said it had been a very emotional time for everyone at the club.
“That win was for Joe Thompson,” said Hill. “We’ve had to try to keep counsel and keep a lid on it – it’s been a very, very emotional season and an emotional 2017 for me personally.
“Joe is very close to me personally and to the rest of the players and he is part of the family here.
“You have to put your emotions aside when you are working because modern day society dictates that all that really matters is that we won the game.
“But I think what you find here, and what Joe has found here, is a group of lads that are special.
“There is a family unity, we look after and we protect – we have a siege mentality and we do have an emotional connection between each other.
“Joe Thompson means the world to me and to my family. It’s been difficult because I have known for quite a while.
“Joe attended my dad’s funeral and that was very emotional for Joe and for me and the family.
“I love working for this club because there is still that seventies/eighties feel to a family connection, family being the be all and end all.
“There is still that community feel to this club and I wouldn’t want that to change.”