A teenage goalkeeper from the West Ham academy, aged 15, has tragically passed away after battling cancer. Oscar Fairs, from Benfleet, Essex, was diagnosed with a rare 7cm ependymoma brain tumour in August 2023. He underwent seven surgeries, one round of chemotherapy, and one round of radiotherapy before being informed that palliative care was the only remaining option.
A GoFundMe page was established to assist the family in raising £100,000 for a treatment trial in France. West Ham footballers contributed £27,000, chairman David Sullivan donated £10,000, and former West Ham star Declan Rice, now with Arsenal, gave £5,000, as confirmed by the Fairs family.
On Friday, West Ham announced the sad news of Oscar's passing. The club's sporting director, Mark Noble, expressed his condolences, stating: "Oscar was cherished by everyone at the Academy. Not only was he an exceptional goalkeeper, but he was also a true Hammer and a remarkable young individual who will be profoundly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him."
Noble added: "I have fond memories of Oscar playing in my garden – [my son] Lenny and his teammates all adored him. He was a friendly, cheerful, well-mannered, and polite young man with a bright future ahead. It is incredibly heartbreaking that he has been taken from his family and friends at such a young age."
The thoughts and deepest sympathies of everyone at the club are with Oscar's parents, Natalie and Russell, and his brother Harry. The family's privacy is requested to be respected during this incredibly difficult time.
All scheduled Academy fixtures over the weekend have been postponed as a mark of respect.
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