This is a statement issued on the club website announcing the tragic death of Dylan Tombides. Dylan was a star in the making and it is a tragedy that cancer has taken him at such a young age. His courage in trying to beat the disease was there for all to see and as we try to digest this awful news, let’s think of all his teammates who will be absolutely devastated this afternoon. There are no words to comfort them, or his family, who have been there for him all the way. There will be no further posts on the site today. Please just leave your thoughts and tributes in the comment.
West Ham United announce the sad news that forward Dylan Tombides has passed away at the age of 20 following his brave battle with cancer.
Dylan passed away on Friday morning with his family by his side having courageously fought the disease for three years after initially being diagnosed with testicular cancer in summer 2011.
He remained a regular visitor to Chadwell Heath throughout his treatment and his positive attitude and professional approach to his football and training always impressed and boosted his team-mates and coaches alike.
Dylan’s amazing resilience and positivity saw him through months of surgery and chemotherapy, while his outstanding talent saw him make his first-team debut in a League Cup tie with Wigan Athletic at the Boleyn Ground in September 2012.
Away from the pitch, Dylan did a huge amount of work to raise awareness of male cancer, supporting the One for the Boys campaign at a number of high-profile events alongside the likes of Hollywood star Samuel L. Jackson, snooker star Jimmy White and fellow Australian Peter Andre.
Dylan was respected by everyone who knew him for his intelligent views on the game and his larger than life character. He was a loving son, amazing brother and well-respected member of the West Ham squad. He will be hugely missed by everyone who had the honour of knowing him.
His passing will be marked by a minute’s applause ahead of Saturday’s Barclays Premier League fixture with Crystal Palace at the Boleyn Ground. The Hammers’ players will also wear black armbands in his memory.
The thoughts of everyone associated with the Club are with his parents Tracylee and Jim, brother Taylor, his family and friends at this sad time. The Club request that their privacy is now respected and they are allowed to grieve their much loved son and brother in peace.
Dylan played youth team football in Australia and Hong Kong before joining West Ham aged 15. Had his illness not struck there’s little doubt he would have played in the Premier League. He was an unused substitute in the game against Sunderland on 22 May 2011. A month later he was diagnosed with testicular cancer which had been discovered after a random drugs test taken shortly after he had played for Australia U-17 team in a 4–0 defeat against Uzbekistan in the Under-17 World Cup in Mexico. In June 2012, after treatment, he was told he was back to full health and returned to training. On 25 September 2012 he made his professional debut for West Ham in a 4–1 home defeat to Wigan Athletic in the League Cup coming on as an 84th minute substitute for Gary O’Neil. This season he played seven times for the Development Squad, scoring once.
It is almost painful to watch this video which was made in September 2013 when Dylan thought he had beaten his cancer.