December 13th 2024.
It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of 15-year-old Oscar Fairs, a talented young goalkeeper in West Ham's academy. Oscar had been battling cancer for some time and sadly, he lost the fight. The news has left everyone at the club devastated.
In August 2023, Oscar was diagnosed with a rare type of brain tumor called ependymoma, which measured 7cm. Leading up to his diagnosis, he had been experiencing symptoms such as heart palpitations, weakness on his right side, headaches, and nausea. Unfortunately, these were initially mistaken for mental health issues and migraines.
Despite undergoing seven surgeries, a round of chemotherapy, and a round of radiotherapy, Oscar's condition continued to deteriorate. Eventually, his doctors informed him that palliative care was the only option. This devastating news prompted the community to rally together and raise funds for a treatment trial in France through a GoFundMe page.
West Ham's players showed their support by donating £27,000, while co-owner David Sullivan and former West Ham captain, Declan Rice, contributed £10,000 and £5,000 respectively. However, despite everyone's efforts, Oscar's battle came to an end on Friday. As a gesture of respect, all academy matches for the weekend were postponed.
Oscar's passing has left a huge void in the hearts of those who knew him. Mark Noble, West Ham's former captain and current sporting director, shared a heartfelt message about Oscar's character and his impact on the academy. He described the young goalkeeper as not only a skilled player but also a kind, polite, and cheerful person. Noble also shared fond memories of playing with Oscar in his garden, where he was loved by all his teammates.
The club is still mourning the loss of Oscar and will be making plans to honor his memory. In the meantime, they ask for the privacy of his family- his parents, Natalie and Russell, and his brother Harry- to be respected during this difficult time. Oscar's legacy will always live on at West Ham United.
Rest in peace, brave Oscar. Your time with us may have been short, but your positive spirit and determination will never be forgotten.
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