West Ham pay emotional tribute to academy goalkeeper, 15, who tragically died of cancer this month, ahead of Premier League match with Brighton

West Ham have paid tributes to 15-year-old academy goalkeeper Oscar Fairs, who died of cancer earlier this month, ahead of their Premier League match against Brighton.

Oscar Ray Fairs had been diagnosed with ependymoma in August 2023 — a rare tumor that grows in the brain or spinal cord.

West Ham said that despite undergoing surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, Fairs sadly passed away with his family at his side on December 12.

The Premier League side played their first home match at the London Stadium since Fairs’ passing, with the club offering a series of tributes around the fixture against Brighton.

A pre-match ceremony saw wreaths laid on the centre spot, with a minute’s applause held prior to kick off.

The ceremony had included members of Fairs’ family – his parents Natalie and Russell and brother Harry – as well as team-mates from West Ham’s Under-15 side.

West Ham paid an emotional tribute to Fairs ahead of their Premier League match with Brighton

A minutes’ applause took place ahead of kick-off at the London Stadium on Saturday afternoon

West Ham’s first team squad warmed up pre-match in t-shirts featuring a photo of Fairs.

Academy players were also seen wearing jackets which featured the message ‘One Of Our Own’.

Fairs had been misdiagnosed for eight months with mental health problems and migraines after suffering with strange panic attack symptoms.

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

Oscar underwent surgery to remove the brain tumour on August 31 last year after losing the ability to walk and talk.

For several months before, he showed strange panic attack symptoms and told his mother Natalie there was ‘something in my head’ that was telling him to do ‘awful things’.

However, despite undergoing blood tests with doctors, he was routinely told that he just had ‘hypothetical anxiety’ and ‘was on the spectrum’.

Mrs Fairs implored there to be an equal level of education about brain tumour symptoms, similar to how there is with breast and prostate cancer, as not only could it have helped her son, it could also help save another child’s life.

West Ham players warmed up for the match with t-shirts featuring a picture of Fairs

Fairs’ academy team-mates participated in a pre-match ceremony as part of the tributes

Jackets worn by the academy players featured the message ‘One Of Our Own’ in a tribute

West Ham supporters rose to honour Fairs as part of the minutes’ applause to the teenager

Brighton’s coaching staff, players and fans also participated in the minutes’ applause

West Ham said Fairs’ passing has been felt deeply across the club’, with tributes having been paid by teammates, coaches, supporters and senior players.

Brighton players, staff and fans also took part in the pre-match minute’s applause in honour of Fairs.

West Ham supporting director Mark Noble, when confirming the news of Fairs’ passing earlier this month, had reflected his own memories of the teenager playing with his own son Lenny.

‘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 brave battle with cancer,’ the former club captain said earlier this month.

‘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 deeply missed by everyone who had the pleasure to know him.

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

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

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

The Fairs was diagnosed with a 7cm cancerous brain tumour after the right hand side of his body shut down

The Fairs family were previously invited to watch the Hammers by Mark Noble (pictured centre) and Oscar served as a mascot

‘The thoughts and sincere condolences of everyone at the Club are with 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.’

West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui oversaw his side’s 1-1 draw against Brighton, with the match coming just days after the death of his father Jose at the age of 94.

Mats Wieffer had opened the scoring for Brighton in the 51st minute at the London Stadium, with Mohammed Kudus equalising for the hosts seven minutes later.

West Ham are 14th in the Premier League table following the draw.