West Ham academy player, 15, who dreamed of becoming professional goalkeeper dies after losing brave battle with cancer

A 15-year-old West Ham academy player who dreamed of becoming a professional goalkeeper has died after a courageous battle with cancer.

Oscar Ray Fairs, who was diagnosed with ependymoma – a rare tumor that grows in the brain or spinal cord – in August 2023, has sadly passed away, the Club announced today.

The teenager was misdiagnosed with mental health issues and migraines for eight months after suffering strange panic attack symptoms.

But a later MRI scan found a 9cm tumor on the left side of his brain, attached to his motor system, with three cysts on the outside.

West Ham sporting director Mark Noble shared the tragic news in a statement on the football club’s website.

He said: “On behalf of everyone at West Ham United, it is with deep and profound sadness that I confirm the tragic passing of our U15s Academy goalkeeper Oscar Fairs, following his courageous battle with cancer.

‘Oscar was adored by everyone at the Academy – not only was he a great goalkeeper, he was a true Hammer and a fantastic young person who will be greatly missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him.

‘I have wonderful memories of Oscar playing in my garden; Lenny and his teammates all loved him.

The Club wrote: ‘It is with deep and profound sadness that West Ham United confirm the tragic passing of our U15s Academy goalkeeper Oscar Fairs, following his courageous battle with cancer.’

‘He was a friendly, cheerful, well-mannered and polite young man, who had such a bright future ahead of him, and it is so incredibly devastating that he has been taken from his family and friends at this age.

‘Out of respect, all scheduled Academy matches have been postponed this weekend, including tonight’s PL2 Under-21 match against Stoke City.’

Oscar underwent surgery to remove the brain tumor on August 31 last year after being left unable to walk and talk.

Several months earlier, he showed strange symptoms of panic attacks and told his mother Natalie that there was “something in my head” telling him to do “terrible things.”

However, despite having blood tests from doctors, he was routinely told he only had ‘hypothetical anxiety’ and was ‘on the spectrum’.

Mrs Fairs appealed for an equal level of education about brain tumor symptoms, similar to breast and prostate cancer, as this could not only have helped her son, but also saved the life of another child.

Natalie Fairs, pictured right, has said there needs to be more education about the symptoms of brain tumors after her son was misdiagnosed for eight months

The 14-year-old was diagnosed with a 7cm cancerous brain tumor after the right side of his body was disabled

The Fairs family had previously been invited to watch Mark Noble’s Hammers (pictured centre) and Oscar served as mascot

When asked about the lack of awareness of the symptoms of a tumour, the emotional literacy support assistant previously told MailOnline: ‘If you have prostate cancer or breast cancer or even a blood clot or stroke, everyone knows the steps to check yourself .

‘With a brain tumor, in my forty years of life there has been nothing, no poster, no step-by-step how to check, about the symptoms of a brain tumor. Why isn’t this advertised on television like the symptoms of breast cancer?’

Despite frequent nausea, severe headaches and extreme sensitivity to light, Mrs Fairs said it took eight months for her son to even have an MRI scan.

‘I remember we went to the hospital and Oscar was screaming from the pain in his head, he couldn’t keep his eyes open because the light was so painful and he was in a wheelchair.

‘We went to the GP at our local hospital and the pediatrician said to me, ‘I’ve been in this industry for 10 years, that’s migraine. This is not a life or death situation, just give him this nasal spray, keep it off his phone and put him in a dark room for four days and take care of him.

‘I went straight home and cried my eyes out. I have since reported her. It took him losing function on the right side of his body before he finally got an MRI scan. Then we were told he had a tumor.’

Mr Noble added: ‘In due course the Club will also share information about our plans to pay tribute to Oscar, and we will ensure his name is never forgotten at West Ham United.

‘The thoughts and sincere condolences from everyone at the Club go out to Oscar’s parents, Natalie and Russell, and his brother Harry, and we kindly ask that the family’s privacy is respected at this extremely difficult time.

Rest in peace, brave Oscar.’