Former Rochdale midfielder Joe Thompson has passed away at the age of 36.

In April of last year, he was diagnosed with cancer for the third time, five years after retiring from his career

Thompson was diagnosed with stage four lymphoma, a form of blood cancer that had metastasized to his lungs, following two previous recoveries during his playing days.

Born in Bath, he began and concluded his football journey with Rochdale, having three separate stints at the club.

Rochdale expressed their profound sorrow, stating he died peacefully at home on Thursday, surrounded by his family.

“We initially recognized Joe as a gifted footballer, but soon we came to cherish his warm and infectious personality,” the club remarked.

“He confronted every challenge with bravery, both on the field and in life. His remarkable journey and unwavering spirit have inspired all who have been touched by his story. Above all, Joe was a devoted husband to Chantelle and a wonderful father to Thailula and Athena Rae.

“Our hearts go out to Joe’s family and friends during this incredibly difficult time.”

Thompson was first diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma in 2013 and again in 2017. However, after receiving the all-clear twice, he famously scored the goal that helped Rochdale avoid relegation from League One in 2018.

He retired in 2019 after making 203 appearances for Rochdale, stating he had “pushed his body to the absolute limit.”

Chantelle, his wife, shared that throughout his illness, he faced every challenge with “courage and pride.”

“Joe has left a lasting impact on so many lives, and we are eternally grateful for the time we had with him and for his strength in fighting against the odds,” she said.

“I know he will be greatly missed by all, and the world will feel different without his contagious energy.”

Thompson started his journey in football at Manchester United’s academy when he was just nine years old. He later joined Rochdale, where he played for most of his 13-year career.

During his time in football, he also played for Tranmere Rovers, Carlisle United, Southport, and Bury.

In 2013, while playing for Tranmere, he was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma but was declared cancer-free the next year.

However, in March 2017, while he was back with Rochdale, he found out he had cancer again. Fortunately, he returned to the field for the 2017-18 season after being told he was in “complete remission.”

One of his most memorable moments with Rochdale was when he scored a crucial goal against Charlton Athletic, helping the team stay in League One. He described that goal as “written in the stars, fate, destiny.”

After retiring from playing, Thompson became a pundit in the media and also worked as a mentor and motivational speaker.

In October 2024, he participated in a 21-mile fundraising walk to raise awareness about cancer treatments after his third diagnosis. About 300 people joined him in walking from Manchester United’s Old Trafford stadium to Rochdale’s Crown Oil Arena.

Tributes for Thompson poured in following the news of his passing.

Manchester United honored him as “a true embodiment of our club’s values,” expressing their sorrow with the statement, “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Joe Thompson.”

They described him as “a compassionate person who formed a strong bond with our club from an early age,” and extended their sincere sympathies to Joe’s family and friends during this tough time.

Both Tranmere and Carlisle also expressed their condolences to Thompson’s family, announcing that they would hold a minute of applause at their home games on Friday.

“Joe inspired everyone who had the privilege of knowing him,” both clubs stated.

Bury shared their condolences, saying, “Our thoughts are with Joe’s family and friends during this sad time. Rest in peace, Joe – Once a Shaker, always a Shaker.”

Southport shared their grief, saying, “We are heartbroken to hear about the loss of former player Joe Thompson. We extend our heartfelt sympathies to all of Joe’s friends and family during this challenging time.”

In 2019, Thompson was honored with the Sir Tom Finney award at the annual EFL awards ceremony, recognizing a player who has had a remarkable career and made significant contributions to the Football League and the sport as a whole.

The EFL referred to Thompson as “an inspiration to countless individuals” and remarked, “The EFL is profoundly saddened by the news of Joe Thompson’s passing. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and former clubs at this very incredibly difficult time.”