Talented footballer dies just weeks after blood cancer diagnosis

A 19-year-old footballer who moved to America on a scholarship has died just a few weeks after discovering he had blood cancer.

Joe Aspinall, who attended Coastal Bend College in Texas, passed away on June 10 at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary.

The teenager’s devastated parents have paid tribute to their ‘fit and healthy’ son, who had returned from Texas to Highburton, West Yorkshire, at the start of the coronavirus crisis.

His father Brendan, a former professional footballer who played for Mansfield Town and Coleraine, wrote an emotional tribute that was released by a family friend.

He said: ‘Our fantastic 19-year-old fit and healthy son Joseph passed away on June 10 in intensive care at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary.

‘He had been studying a soccer scholarship at Coastal Bend College in Texas until we brought him home at the start of lockdown.

‘He became unwell in early May and was admitted to hospital on the 25th.

‘Following initial tests they found he had a haematological malignancy (blood cancer) that caused blood clots in his spleen and fatally, his lungs.

‘He was taken to intensive care on June 5 and despite a very brave fight and always remaining calm, he sadly couldn’t prevent the clots causing his heart and lungs to be unable to cope.

‘He was comforted at the end by his parents, sister and brother.

‘We have had hundreds of messages from people whose lives he had touched. His school friends, football and cricket teammates, work friends and his recent American college friends.

‘We are a private family and are so proud of Joseph and following all the messages of support have realised what a special part of so many lives he was and we will get strength from this.

‘One of his school friends, Charlotte and two of his close cousins Ella and Billy have wanted to show their respects by doing fundraising events and we find these efforts amazing and very thoughtful.

‘We are in shock and devastated by the past fortnight’s events butmwould like to thank the staff at HRI and the support of family thatmhas helped us through.’

More than £6,500 has been raised for the family by Joe’s former Shelley College classmate, Charlotte Oldroyd.

He had returned from Texas to Highburton, West Yorkshire, at the start of the coronavirus crisis

She ran a sponsored half-marathon in memory of Joe last Friday [June 12].

Charlotte said: ‘After hearing about the tragic passing of Joe, I thought I would do something to help his family.

‘Joe wasn’t one of my closest friends but I remember when I first joined Shelley High School and he made extra effort to make me feel welcome from day one.

‘Joe had the brightest smile and he was loved by many.’

Joe’s former club, Huddersfield-based Cumberworth FC, also mourned his untimely death.

A club statement said: ‘Cumberworth FC are saddened to hear that popular first team player Joe Aspinall has passed away following a short battle with illness.

‘Joe was a first team regular over the past two seasons making 19 appearances in the 2018/19 season before earning a US Scholarship and continuing his footballing career with Coastal Bend College in Texas.

‘On his return to the UK he played a further three games in the 2019/20 season. The club sends its condolences to his family and friends at this most difficult of times.’

Coastal Bend College said Joe, a defender, had played 12 games for the team in his first year and had been expected to be a major contributor during the 2020 season.

Head soccer coach, Adam Butler, said: ‘Joe was an exceptional young man who loved and motivated those around him, always the hardest working and so willing to help others.

‘He didn’t have a bad bone in his body and was always making jokes and entertaining others.

‘His presence lit up any room he walked into. His cheeky smile and go-getter attitude will be missed by all of us at CBC.

‘He was a credit to his family and Coastal Bend College in everything he did, exemplifying the values of a student-athlete.’