West Ham United have announced the death of youth goalkeeper Oscar Fairs, aged 15, following a battle with cancer.
The club’s upcoming academy fixtures, including Friday night’s under-21 game against Stoke City, have been postponed as a mark of respect.
A message from sporting director Mark Noble said: “Oscar was adored by everyone at the academy — not only was he a great goalkeeper, he was a true Hammer and a fantastic young person, who will be deeply missed by everyone who had the pleasure to know him.
It is with deep and profound sadness that West Ham United confirm the tragic passing of our U15s Academy goalkeeper Oscar Fairs, following his brave battle with cancer.
Rest in peace, brave Oscar.
— West Ham United (@WestHam) December 13, 2024
“I have wonderful memories of Oscar playing in my garden — Lenny and his teammates all loved him. He was a friendly, happy, well-mannered and polite young man, who had such a bright future ahead of him, and it is just so unimaginably devastating that he has been taken from his family and friends at this age.”
Noble, who made 414 Premier League appearances for West Ham as a player, said plans were under way for a permanent tribute to Fairs that would “ensure that his name is never forgotten”.
West Ham’s first team play Bournemouth in the Premier League on Monday night.
(Visionhaus/Getty Images)
