Joe Thompson: Former Rochdale midfielder dies aged 36 after third cancer diagnosis

Thompson was diagnosed with cancer for a third time in 2024 having previously beaten it in 2014 and 2017; Rochdale said the 36-year-old "passed away peacefully at home on Thursday"

Friday 18 April 2025 11:22, UK

Thompson was diagnosed with cancer for a third time in April last year.

He confirmed he had stage four lymphoma - a form of blood cancer - which had spread to his lungs.

His former club Rochdale announced the news on their official website on Friday morning.

"Rochdale Football Club is devastated to learn of the passing of Joe Thompson," a statement read.

"Joe, who had been bravely battling cancer for a third time, passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, with his family by his side. 

"Known by those close to Rochdale as 'Joey T', he made over 200 appearances for his local team, representing the badge with pride.

"We first knew Joe primarily as a talented footballer, but we would soon grow to adore his loving, infectious personality.

"He faced every battle head-on, both on and off the pitch. His journey and indomitable spirit have been an inspiration for everyone who has been touched by his story.

"Above all of that, Joe was a loving husband to Chantelle and an incredible father to Thailula and Athena Rae.

"Our thoughts are with Joe's family and friends at this sorrowful time.

Thompson played his final match as a professional on August 4, 2018, when the Dale beat Burton 2-1.

But after "pushing his body to the limit," Thompson was forced to hang up his boots in 2019, having only been able to play one game all season.

He made 225 professional appearances during his career, mostly at Rochdale, but also had stints at Tranmere, Carlisle and Manchester United's youth academy.

Tragedy in Vígľaš: Woman Hit at Crosswalk by Car Going 150 km/h – Driver Fled! "He ran away like a coward," say witnesses.

Tragedy in Vígľaš: Woman Hit at Crosswalk by Car Going 150 km/h – Driver Fled!

"He ran away like a coward," say witnesses.

 Simona Holková

 18. apríl 2025, 21:20

Smrteľná zrážka v obci Vígľaš: Žena zomrela, vodič nezastavil a utiekol

 Foto: Polícia Slovenskej republiky

Tragedy in Vígľaš: Woman Killed in Hit-and-Run Accident

A heartbreaking incident has shaken the region of Vígľaš. On Wednesday evening, April 17th, shortly before 9 p.m., a 59-year-old woman was struck by a car while using a pedestrian crossing. She died at the scene from her injuries. The driver fled without offering help.

According to eyewitnesses, the car was traveling at an extremely high speed—reportedly up to 150 kilometers per hour (around 93 mph). “A serious accident occurred in Pstruša today before 9 p.m., where a pedestrian was fatally hit while crossing at a crosswalk,” witnesses posted in a social media group.

“The car hit her with such force that it threw her dozens of meters. The driver didn’t even slow down—he just vanished,” described one eyewitness, who saw the collision happen. According to him, the woman was carrying shopping bags and was crossing confidently. What should have been a safe return home ended in a brutal tragedy.

Mária Faltániová, spokesperson for the Banská Bystrica regional police, told Regióny.sk: “The driver failed to yield to the pedestrian at the crosswalk and hit her with the front of the vehicle. The impact launched her off the road onto a nearby parking lot. The driver did not stop, did not offer first aid, and fled the scene. The injuries she suffered were fatal.”

Police located the driver shortly after the incident. He is now facing charges for causing death and failure to provide assistance. Breathalyzer and toxicology tests were negative at the time of arrest.

Emergency responders tried to save the woman’s life for several minutes, but the injuries were incompatible with survival. “She succumbed to her injuries at the scene,” confirmed Petra Klimešová from the Emergency Medical Services Operations Center. Despite being in shock, several witnesses tried to help the woman, some of them visibly crying. “I cried a lot when I saw it... He ran away like a coward,” said another witness.

The driver's heartless actions and his reckless speed through the village sparked a wave of sorrow, anger, and frustration online. “You go shopping and never come back. Where is everyone rushing to?” wrote Dominika. “Someone like this should never be allowed behind the wheel again. A lifetime driving ban isn’t enough,” commented Anna.

Police continue to investigate the accident, questioning witnesses. The vehicle believed to have been involved was found abandoned near a garden center in Vígľaš. Locals claim the driver is a young man.

 

Premier League build-up as Tottenham go to Chelsea

Chelsea slipping from Champions League racePublished at 16:27 British Summer Ti 16:27 BST

Chelsea v Tottenham (20:00 BST)

Image source,Opta

Opta's supercomputer is at it again.

Wednesday evening's results in the Premier League saw Chelsea slip to sixth in the table before tonight's game against rivals Tottenham Hotspur.

The Blues currently sit on 49 points, two behind Manchester City in fourth, though Enzo Maresca's side have played a game less.

According to the supercomputer, they now have just a 14.0% chance of making the top four.  

Their most likely end of year finish is sixth ( 27.6% ) while an unlikely end of season surge for third has just a 7.4% probability of happening.  

A win tonight would see Chelsea jump back into the top four, though Newcastle in fifth will have played a game less.

Is the old supercomputer writing Maresca's men off too early?

This is a great game to finish the week off'Published at 16:24 British Summer Time

16:24 BST

Chelsea v Tottenham (20:00 BST)

This is a great game to finish the week off. It ended up 4-3 to Chelsea earlier in the season, and there are likely to be a few more goals this time too.

Chelsea have people like Cole Palmer, Nicolas Jackson and Noni Madueke back from injury to bolster their attack, but Spurs have got some key players like Micky van de Ven fit again too.

Tottenham's league campaign has been disappointing - it is winning the Europa League or bust for them - while Chelsea are still chasing the Champions League places.

Spurs looked tired to me before the international break, so it will be interesting to see what they are like here. We know how exciting they can be on their day, it is just those days have been few and far between this season.

Chelsea have been a bit flat as well, but maybe this is the game where both teams come to life and serve up a thriller - that is what I am hoping for anyway.

Sutton's prediction: 3-2

Chelsea v Tottenham: Did you know?Published at 16:20 British Summer Time

16:20 BST

Chelsea v Tottenham (20:00 BST)

Image source,Getty Images

• Chelsea have lost just one of their past 12 Premier League games against Spurs, winning the past three in a row by an aggregate score of 10-4.
• Chelsea have won more Premier League games (36) and scored more Premier League goals (120) against Tottenham than they have against any other opponent.
• Ange Postecoglou has lost all three of his Premier League meetings with Chelsea - the only side he has faced without yet picking up a point in the competition. He could become the first ever Tottenham manager to lose each of his first four league games against Chelsea in charge of the club

• Rumors about future 'do not consume me' - PostecoglouPublished at 16:10 British Summer Time

  16:10 BST

  Chelsea v Tottenham (20:00 BST)

  Tottenham Hotspur

  Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou dismissed further questions about his future as Spurs boss in his news conference yesterday.

  “I don't deal with it,” he explained.

  "It doesn't rock my world - it doesn't consume me. I know my responsibilities are and I am sure if the club decides to go in a different direction, there are some outstanding candidates for it.

  "And you know what, maybe someone will think: 'Ange Postecoglou is not a bad coach - maybe we'll take a punt on him'."

  “I am passionate about what we're doing,” he added.

  "I was brought in to change the way the club plays, rejuvenate the squad and bring success. I am focused on that and that is what I'll keep doing.

• Chelsea v Spurs: Team newspublished at 16:04 British Summer Time

  16:04 BST

  Chelsea v Tottenham (20:00 BST)

  • Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca confirmed Cole Palmer, Noni Madueke and Nicolas Jackson "are all good" and ready to return from their respective injuries.
  • Midfielder Romeo Lavia remains a doubt for this evening's fixture.
  • Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou confirmed there are "no new injuries" in his squad, but the match will likely come too soon for Richarlison.
  • Dejan Kulusevski and Kevin Danso are also unavailable but should return in the next few weeks.
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Ex Nintendo PR managers say the Switch 2 generation is likely to see the retirement of "several of the major developers at Nintendo who we have known for 40 something years

(Image credit: Nintendo)

A pair of former Nintendo marketing leads predict that the Switch 2 generation will mark a seismic shift in the main creative forces behind the company's most beloved series.

During a new episode of their Kit & Krysta podcast, former Nintendo Minute hosts Kit Ellis and Krysta Yang talk about why "everything is about to change at Nintendo." While the arrival of a brand new console generation is obviously enough to change things pretty significantly, what the pair is actually referring to is much sadder.

Folks, I'll get straight to the point: some of the old guard at Nintendo is getting up there in age, and with console generations lasting around 7-8 years these days, there's a good chance many of them won't be with the company for the Switch 3, or whatever the next thing ends up being.