Latest news with #JoeThompson
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Man United launch new academy award in honour of former player
Man United launch new academy award in honour of former player Manchester United as a club have always placed great importance on the role of their academy. Despite a terrible season on the pitch last year, Carrington still produced as Toby Collyer, Chido Obi, Harry Amass and Tyler Fredricson all made their senior debuts last year. Advertisement United's youth system is teeming at the rafters with exciting young talent at the moment and many will be eyeing up a possible first team debut in the coming campaign. Tragedy A former academy product, Joe Thompson, sadly died on 18th April after a long battle with cancer. He joined the youth team at United in 1998, before leaving at 16 years old where he played for Rochdale and later Tranmere Rovers. Thompson was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer called nodular sclerosis Hodgkin lymphoma. After treatment, he was able to make a return to football with Bury, Carlisle and, once again, Rochdale. He would also go on to have a successful career in motivational speaking after ending his playing days in 2019. Advertisement Unfortunately, he was diagnosed with the disease twice more, before finally passing earlier this year. New award to honour him The club's official website reports that 'Manchester United is proud to announce the launch of a new award in memory of Joe Thompson, our former youth-team player who passed away in April aged 36.' The award 'will be presented each season to a player or staff member from our Academy's Under-18s or Under-21s sides.' The site explained that the award 'will be given to somebody who represents the values of a Manchester United person, like Joe did, displaying characteristics like resilience, honesty, integrity, humility, innovation and a relentless work ethic, with a focus on the community.' It is hoped that the prize will be a 'lasting tribute' to the former player. The first winner of the new award will be announced next week. Follow us on Bluesky: @
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Man Utd introduce Joe Thompson Award
Manchester United have launched an award in honour of former academy player Joe Thompson, who died in April aged 36. Thompson played in the same United academy side as former England international and new Plymouth Argyle manager Tom Cleverley and Danny Drinkwater, who went on to win the Premier League title at Leicester City. Advertisement He was diagnosed with cancer for a third time last year. Thompson retired in 2019 after a playing career that included 203 appearances for Rochdale, plus spells at Tranmere Rovers, Carlisle United, Southport and Bury. He returned to United to play a central role in the launch of the club's Academy Alumni programme, which offers aftercare to former academy players. United said first winner of the Joe Thompson Award will be announced next week, adding: "It will be given each season to a player or staff member from our under-18s or under-21s who represents the values of a Manchester United person, like Joe did, displaying characteristics like resilience, honesty, integrity, humility, innovation and a relentless work ethic, with a focus on the community." The club said the award is intended as a "lasting tribute" to Thompson, "whose story of courage, perseverance and positivity touched the hearts of fans all around the world".
Daily Mail
07-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Ex-footballer hopes Joe Thompson is 'proud' after he completes incredible 37-hour fitness challenge in honour of former team-mate who died aged 36 in April
As the self-doubt started to bleed into Simon Ramsden's thoughts, his legs like jelly, arms aching, tears rolling down his face, he just needed a reminder of why he was putting himself through all the pain. 'I had pictures of Joe all around the room,' Ramsden tells Mail Sport. On June 27, the former Sunderland and Rochdale footballer started the hardest challenge of his life. For 37 hours straight, he completed back-to-back workout classes in honour of his ex-team-mate Joe Thompson, who sadly passed away following a third battle with cancer, back in April. This was not Ramsden's first rodeo. He had previously completed a 25-hour challenge to raise funds for Thompson's cancer treatment while he was still fighting the illness; the 43-year-old is a crazy fitness challenge specialist. However, nothing could prepare him for what he would face in those gruelling 37 hours. He had to fight with every fibre of his being, both physically and mentally, to keep going. As time ticked by, he fell deeper into a pain cave that had him wondering whether the challenge was even feasible. But whenever his thoughts turned negative, just one look up at his surroundings would sort him out. 'There was no way I wasn't going to do the 37,' Ramsden continues. 'There was a lot of pressure on me to fulfill that. It's alright me talking the talk, but if I drop out after 30, you look like a bit of a fool, don't you? So I knew I had to do it, I was just in the zone, completely in the zone. 'I had pictures of Joe all around the room. I had little things that people weren't aware of, in the toilets, there were quotes. 'Everywhere I went in between, like when I was grabbing a drink, there'd be a picture of Joe or quotes or motivational stuff, just because I knew it was going to get tough. Little things just to keep me going. 'And then my partner, a few pep talks. I remember my body was just broken at one point; I couldn't lift my arms above my head. I couldn't walk down the stairs. I was gone. 'She was there to try and pick me up because I was physically and mentally just broken. This was about six hours to go.' Ramsden, who played alongside Thompson for three years at Rochdale, was not alone in this challenge. Each class he was joined by a new bunch of people eager to help the cause and raise money for Thompson's wife and two daughters. Former Sunderland manager, Peter Reid, was one of hundreds to take part in the challenge alongside Ramsden, who can't quite believe just how many people supported the cause. 'I had like ex-team-mates coming from all over the country at different times, friends from people I've not seen for 20 years just rocking up, doing one class, two classes. It just shows how inspirational Joe was to so many people,' Ramsden adds. 'Now, a lot of the people in the room didn't even know Joe, didn't meet him, but they've seen his story. They've seen his kids, and they wanted to buy into it. 'But the people who did know him they've travelled. I had a friend come from Carlisle at one in the morning, just to say good luck. Then he ended up doing five in a row. I had a friend from Liverpool come up, just done one class, and drove home. 'Honestly, when I thought of this idea, I couldn't have ever imagined it would have gone as big, and that people would have supported it like they did. It's been incredible.' Ramsden and Thompson grew incredibly close during their time together at Rochdale. Despite the now body transformation coach, who owns his own fitness company, leaving Rochdale in 2009, the pair stayed in touch and grew closer and closer as Thompson started his battle with Hodgkin lymphoma, which first started back in 2013. The ex-defender was with the 'special man' every step of the way until he passed away earlier this year, and just wished that Thomspon was still around to watch the challenge with his family. 'I just wish he were here to witness it, his beautiful kids, and the milestones that they're going to be doing. Joe would have loved to have been a part of the weekend,' says the former Sunderland man. 'I'm really glad his brother came up to be a part of it. He came on the Saturday afternoon and joined in. That was lovely. And then, his wife and kids joined in. Thompson made over 200 appearances for Rochdale before his retirement in 2019 Ramsden played along Thompson for three years in Lancashire and hopes he is 'proud' of him 'I think Joe will be proud, and he knows how much he meant to me, and likewise, so many times when I've needed him in the past, he's been there for me. 'One of the songs that I picked, which you'll see in the video. The chorus is, 'I hope I'm making you proud.' I picked it for a reason.' Overall, the series of workouts has raised over £9,500 for Thompson's family, which is over three times more than the target originally set. And still, the number continues to rise. The truly inspiring work done by Ramsden after such a heartbreaking loss has left him feeling fulfilled. While it has been an incredibly difficult and emotional few months for him and those who knew Thompson, the challenge has allowed him to celebrate Thompson's life and the man that he was. 'There were times when it was extremely tough, but so rewarding, especially when Joe's wife and kids turned up, and different parts of the weekend. It was incredible. 'There's been a bond that's come out of tragedy here, how close the families have got. I would love her [Thompson's wife Chantelle] to come up and keep Joe's legacy going at my classes. 'I'd love to keep his logo on some of my stuff and just keep this, keep this going and keep the story going because I think anybody that was there this weekend, it's a weekend that we'll always cherish. It's something that I don't think anybody will ever forget. 'I hope his kids, especially, it lives long in their memory and they realise how much everyone thought of their dad because he was a special man.'
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Yahoo
Man charged with killing former Minnesota House speaker says he looks forward to 'truth' coming out
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — The man charged with killing former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband on June 14, and wounding a state senator and his wife, said Thursday that he's looking forward to the facts coming out about what happened that day. During a court appearance, Vance Boelter waived his right to full hearings on whether he should remain jailed without bail, and on probable cause, where the judge would determine whether the government has enough evidence to proceed with prosecuting the case. Thursday's hearing lasted less than 10 minutes. 'Your honor, I'm looking forward to court, and looking forward to the facts about the 14th coming out,' Boelter told Magistrate Judge Douglas Micko. Boelter affirmed that he knowingly waived his rights to the full hearings he was entitled. 'That gets us to court faster, where the truth can come out.' A date for Boelter's next court appearance has not been set. The acting U.S. attorney for Minnesota, Joe Thompson, told reporters afterward that the next step is for a grand jury to return an indictment, which is due by mid-July and could include additional charges. Boelter would then return to court for an arraignment, which is when he'd be expected to enter a plea. Boelter, 57, of Green Isle, was wearing a standard two-piece yellow jail uniform with a yellow T-shirt underneath and orange slippers when federal marshals escorted him into court on Thursday. He appeared clean-shaven, except for a goatee. That contrasted with the green padded suicide prevention suit that an unshaven Boelter wore when he was brought into court last Friday. That hearing was put on hold until Thursday at the request of his federal defender, Manny Atwal, who said her client had been unable to sleep while on suicide watch due to harsh jail conditions, making it difficult for them to communicate. Boelter complained that he's still being held in a cell where the lights are never out, 'and I don't know if it's day or night." But Micko said the conditions at the Sherburne County Jail are not up to him. Asked to comment on Boelter's remarks about wanting the truth to come out, Thompson told reporters, 'I think that's what everyone wants.' Boelter faces separate cases in federal and state court on charges of murder and attempted murder, but the feds are using their power to go first. 'This isn't just a murder case,' Thompson said. 'This is a political assassination.' Authorities say Hortman and her husband, Mark, were shot to death in their home in the Minneapolis suburb of Brooklyn Park in the early hours of June 14 by a man disguised as a police officer who was driving a fake squad car. Boelter also allegedly shot and seriously wounded state Sen. John Hoffman, and his wife, Yvette, earlier that morning at their home in nearby Champlin. The Hoffmans are recovering, but Hortman's golden retriever, Gilbert, was seriously injured and had to be euthanized. Boelter surrendered near his home the night of June 15 after what authorities called the largest search in Minnesota history, a hunt of around 40 hours. Neither Boelter nor his lawyer have publicly commented on the charges themselves, which could carry the federal death penalty. Friends have described Boelter as an evangelical Christian with politically conservative views. But prosecutors have declined so far to speculate on a motive. Thompson said a decision on the death penalty 'will be made over time, ultimately by the attorney general, but in consultation with our office, based on lots of factors.' Minnesota abolished its death penalty in 1911. But Attorney General Pam Bondi has said the Trump administration will be aggressive in seeking capital punishment. Prosecutors allege Boelter also stopped at the homes of two other Democratic lawmakers. They also say he listed dozens of other Democrats as potential targets, including officials in other states. Former President Joe Biden and former Vice President Kamala Harris joined the mourners at the Hortmans' funeral last Saturday. Gov. Tim Walz, Harris's running mate on the 2024 Democratic presidential ticket, eulogized Hortman as 'the most consequential speaker in Minnesota history.' Hortman served as speaker from 2019 until January. She yielded the post to a Republican in a power-sharing deal after the elections left the House tied.
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Federal prosecutor speaks after suspect in killing of Minnesota lawmaker appears in court
Acting U.S. Attorney for Minnesota, Joe Thompson, told reporters that the next step in the case of the killing of former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband is for a grand jury to return an indictment. AP video by Mark Vancleave
