It was the news that really put football in perspective young Aussie and West Ham striker Dylan Tombides was diagnosed with testicular cancer at just 17. Just months after he was given the all clear it has spread to his lymph glands, which has forced him to have an urgent operation early next week.
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Such is the team spirit instilled into the players from both Sam Allardyce and Captain Kevin Nolan the players will wear specially designed t-shirts supported Dylan before the game against Forest on Saturday.
Tombides is said to be one the most promising players in and around the academy and with the need for a finisher the news of the cancerous cells is such a shame for the promising striker.
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[youtube 4WiS4mPkXG8] The Australian under 17 international has made 6 appearances for his nation scoring one goal against the Ivory Coast. The news of the cancer came at the worst possible time; he had just received his first call up to the first team as an unused sub against Sunderland last season. Of course the last thing us fans care about is seeing him lining up in the Claret and Blue right now the paramount importance is his well being.The news of his cancer came as a chilling reminder to me that there is more to live than football, it is a rare case that a player is younger than me but for him to be younger than me and to have been diagnosed sent a shiver down my spine.
He remains determined to beat this horrible disease and will fight in order to achieve his dream and play football for West Ham, and it is refreshing to see West Ham doing the right thing and publicly showing the support of a hugely brave and popular character.
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Get well soon Dylan you have countless thousands of Hammers wishing you the best. I hope to be there to see you line up in the first team after you recover.
