For my cancer pal
Rashford’s moving post-goal gesture for his tragic friend
BY
& in Qatar
CARING Marcus Rashford had the world at his feet as he fired England to glory but still sank to his knees in tribute to his late friend.
The Manchester United striker celebrated scoring a goal by closing his eyes and raising his hands to the heavens in remembrance of cancer sufferer Garfield Hayward.
Rashford, 25, said: “That one was for Garfield. That one was for you – thank you.”
Garfield died just two days before England’s 3-0 victory over Wales. Rashford, who won praise for his campaign on free school meals, is now the tournament’s joint top scorer after his two goals and one against Iran.
After the game he explained the moving gesture, saying: “Unfortunately I lost one of my friends a couple of days ago.
“He has had quite a long battle with cancer. He was a great person, and he came into my life. So, it was for him.”
Rashford’s brother Dwaine Maynard, in Qatar to watch England, said they had spoken to Garfield’s family and they were happy with the tribute.
It is understood Marcus met Garfield, from Manchester, recently and they enjoyed spending time together.
Known as ‘Garf ’, the 38-yearold had shared a photo on social media with Rashford. The star is seen laughing with his late friend and Russian mixed martial arts fighter Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Garfield’s post read: “Great times with great people.”
His nephew Steven wrote online: “My heart is hurting so much knowing I won’t see you again in this life.
“You didn’t have a bad bone in your body, you would give anything and everything you could without even a single bit of hesitation. I love you man and I’m so glad I got to tell you that.
“You will forever be in my thoughts and my heart till the
day I die.” A primary school friend of Garfield, Tim Hamnett, 34, of Stretford in Manchester, said: “A lot of people are really upset and down at the minute but what Rashford did, and saying it was for Garf, cheered a lot of people up, especially a lot of our close friends.”
Mr Hamnett’s wife Kym, 33, said: “He was always in touch over the phone but if it was anything important he always turned up. He never missed anything. He was great. Such a happy person.”
She said he was like an uncle to her children Keelan, 10, and Oscar, six, and after the celebration they were “absolutely ecstatic, jumping about shouting, ‘Yes, Rashford you’ve done it for Garf ’.”
“That celebration... it’s just lifted everyone’s spirits. Even though it’s such a bad thing that’s happened, everyone is just so happy that Garf ’s been put out there.”
Meanwhile, Rashford’s fellow scorer Phil Foden spoke of his excitement at starting his first game of the World Cup. He said: “To get the chance to play and then score was special – it was one of the best feelings I have ever had.” On Sunday England, who have reached the final 16, are facing Senegal for the first time. Former Man City youth team coach Steve Eyre spoke in praise of Foden on the Three Lions podcast.
He said: “He was a stand out player, a stand out performer and a stand out personality.”