SM
Newcastle vs. West Ham:
Upcoming predictions and previews

Rochdale midfielder Joe Thompson hangs up his boots

:Headline: Rochdale midfielder Joe Thompson hangs up his boots: ID:349404: from db_amp
The 29-year-old survived cancer twice.

Rochdale midfielder Joe Thompson has announced his retirement from football at the age of 29 following two battles with cancer.

Thompson has made only one appearance for Dale this season, and revealed his body had been pushed "to the limit" by his two fights against Hodgkin lymphoma.

"My decision to retire has been one of the hardest I've ever had to make," Thompson said in a statement.

"I have battled through some of life's hardest challenges and have managed to overcome them.

"However, I've pushed my body to the absolute limit. My mind has grown stronger but with the intense treatment my body has had to endure over the last six years it is no longer able to perform to the demands of the professional game."

Thompson was first diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma in 2013 while playing for Tranmere.

“My decision to retire has been one of the hardest I've ever had to make”
- Joe Thompson

He later signed for Bury and spent time on loan at Southport and Wrexham as he tried to build his match fitness following treatment.

He returned to Rochdale from Carlisle in 2016 but the disease soon returned, requiring extensive treatment.

Thompson announced he was cancer free in June 2017 and less than a year later scored the goal that kept Rochdale in League One, beating Charlton on the final day of the season.

In a lengthy statement, Thompson thanked his family, team-mates and manager Keith Hill for their support, as well as the club's fans, revealing he now plans to work in the media, as a mentor and as a motivational speaker.

"I also feel my story has the power to help others in all walks of life to overcome their own adversities and empower them to fulfil their potential," he said.

amp_article__349404 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2019-02-05 13:56:38:
html db last update - 2019-02-05 13:56:38 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about Joe Thompson

Click here for more stories about Rochdale

Share this article now:
Read more about Joe Thompson Football
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1York City19125237142341
2Forest Green RoversForest Green19125237162141
3Barnet19131540231740
4Gateshead19114435241137
5Oldham AthleticOldham1897229171234
6Rochdale189362718930
7Halifax TownHalifax188552016429
8Solihull MoorsSolihull198473532328
9Yeovil TownYeovil198472120128
10AltrinchamAltrincham197662925427
11Sutton UnitedSutton187472626025
12Eastleigh196762626025
13Hartlepool UnitedHartlepool196762224-225
14Tamworth197482233-1125
15Dagenham & RedbridgeDag & Red195773124722
16Southend UnitedSouthend195772224-222
17Aldershot TownAldershot195772530-522
18Woking195591926-720
19WealdstoneWealdstone194781926-719
20Braintree TownBraintree1954101523-819
21Fylde1853102337-1418
22Maidenhead UnitedMaidenhead1944112136-1516
23Boston UnitedBoston1935111932-1314
24Ebbsfleet1815121543-288
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .