Dale ace is a winner again in cancer fight
ROCHDALE midfielder and former United youth star Joe Thompson has revealed he has beaten cancer for a second time - sparking congratulations from across the football world.
The 28-year-old dad announced on his Twitter feed on Wednesday night: “Simple terms, I’m cancer free.”
Thompson, a former Manchester United youth player, beat nodular sclerosis Hodgkin lymphoma in 2014 after six months of chemotherapy.
But the cancer returned, and he stopped playing in March this year for more treatment.
Thompson has now been told he is in complete remission again.
He tweeted: “Let me just confirm! #TWICE means I’m in complete remission!! Simple terms I’m cancer free. Extra Time & Penalties but THOMPSON 2 Cancer 0.”
Thompson’s second diagnosis prompted him to launch a fresh fight with the support of his wife Chantelle and daughter Thailula-Lily, his home-town club, manager Keith Hill and his team-mates.
He said at the time: “I will fight this life hurdle with the same belief, courage and desire as my previous battle.”
Later on Wednesday night he tweeted a picture of his daughter Thailula-Lily holding his hand in hospital with the message: “The Real Hero Took The Picture @ chanteealexa Daddy’s Coming Home #TWICE.”
He later added: “I’ll write a best selling book one day.”
The player revealed the cancer had returned in March, but vowed to meet it head on.
He said in a statement at the time: “I came back from a goal down before, not only to equalise, but to take the lead.
“This illness may have found an equaliser, but the quest for me to get the winner starts today and I can assure you I will get the most important win of all time.”
Thompson was on United’s books as a youngster, before joining Rochdale in 2006, making 143 appearances and scoring 15 goals.
He left in 2012 to join Tranmere Rovers, before returning to Rochdale on loan a year later.
Thompson joined Bury in 2014, before loan spells at Wrexham and Southport. In 2016, he signed for Carlisle United, before returning to Rochdale in 2016.
He has made appearances for Dale, scoring twice. 20 The