A "friendly and happy" West Ham academy goalkeeper has died aged 15 after being diagnosed with cancer. Oscar Fairs from Benfleet, Essex, was found to have a rare 7cm (2.8in) ependymoma brain tumour in August 2023.

West Ham have confirmed that 15-year-old Oscar, who played for their U15s side in goal, has sadly passed away following a battle with cancer. The club's sporting director, Mark Noble, has issued a touching statement,

A teenage West Ham academy goalkeeper has died aged 15 after suffering from cancer. Oscar Fairs from Benfleet, Essex, was diagnosed with a rare 7cm ependymoma brain tumour in August 2023 and underwent seven surgeries,