School pitches in with tribute to Dale ace
ASCHOOL has renamed a sports pitch after a cancer-beating former pupil footballer.
Rochdale AFC’s Joe Thompson has had a multi-use games arena named after him by St Vincent’s Primary School on Edenfield Road.
The midfielder returned to his former school in Norden on Wednesday September 26 to officially open the ‘JT Arena’.
The whole school turned out onto the playground to watch their guest of honour cut the ribbon and unveil a special plaque which takes pride of above the entrance to the sports pitch.
The 29-year-old is extremely grateful. He said: “The ‘JT Arena’ is a fantastic new facility, and it’s such an honour to have had this named after me.
“I can’t thank the school enough for this amazing gesture or the reception I received on Wednesday afternoon – it was really quite humbling.”
Joe, 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 last year for more treatment. He revealed in February that he had beaten cancer for a second time.
His second diagnosis prompted him to launch a fresh fight with the support of his wife Chantelle and daughter ThailulaLily, his home-town club, manager Keith Hill and his team-mates.
Joe says he has great memories of his time at St. Vincent’s. He added: “I’ve got nothing but fond memories of my time at St Vincent’s Primary School, so it was great to go back and visit.
“I remember when I was a kid getting kicked off the playground by the caretaker as late as 4.30pm, having stayed behind to play football, and although things have changed and everything looks a bit shinier and newer, I can remember it like it was yesterday.”
Stephen Callaghan, the school’s Head Teacher, added: “We were delighted that Joe was able to come to the school and officially open our new sports pitch which we named the ‘JT Arena’ after him.
“Joe was great with the children, he spent time talking to them and answering lots of their questions.
“We are very proud that Joe is a former pupil of St Vincent’s and his story of perseverance and determination is an inspiration to us all.”