‘Annus horribilis’ is a latin phrase for horrible year. It’s been a pretty odd football year so far and while it’s only mid-July, that is in essence, roughly half a year too early to make such proclamation, the recent tragic turn of events have made a strong case for the diagnosis.
My experience as a keen football and everything football-related faithful spans slightly over a decade long and I can almost boldly say I have not seen a year this odd. It’s been a pretty strange and difficult year for my beloved sport.
We were only still reeling from the devastating ill-fated LaMia flight 2933 Air Disaster of 28th November, 2016 that claimed the lives of 71 people (19 of whom were Chapocoense footballers) when it was reported that some 30 or so Manchester United FC fans of Nigerian Nationality had been electrocuted while watching their team on the Europa night of 21st April 2017 in Nyakasang, Atimbo area of Calabar, Cross River State, South-South Nigeria.
Recovery was hardly complete from such a shocking and unnecessary loss of precious lives when Ivorian National, Cheick Tiote suddenly on June 5th 2017, slumped to his death during a training session with his Chinese club.
But the cold-hearted, ice-veined and unrepentant sergeant that is death was hardly done with the sport.
This uninvited and unwanted umpire again sounded the final whistle on another football personality, one who had not even reached the halftime of his life. The house of football was rocked again.
On the 7th of July 2017, the jolly delightful and ever smiling 6 year old football superfan and beloved mascot Bradley Lowery lost his battle against cancer and hung his life’s boots.
After only about 18 months of life, Brad was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma but “after major surgery and gruelling chemotherapy he pulled through and went into remission for 18 months”. A year ago, the cancer returned, spreading to his chest, lungs, lymph nodes, bone and bone marrow.
As his Hail Mary shot to life, Brad underwent a particularly dangerous radical immunotherapy treatment but it tragically failed. From there, death was only a matter of time.
The announcement of his passing ushered a full gamut of poignant tributes including a heart-wrenching and teary-eyed tribute delivered by the Brad’s close buddy and hero, AFC Bournemouth English forward, Jermaine Defoe.
The football world shared Defoe’s emotions directly taking sides with Shakespeare in King Richard 2 when he said, “On pain of death, no person be so bold.”
Brad’s body was cremated earlier today.
Thank you for uniting football and capturing its heart with that charming, innocent smile and your signature thumbs up sign all within your short time as the sport’s superfan. We’d never forget. Your joint Barclays Goal of the month award with Manchester United’s Henrikh Mkhitaryan for December 2016 will forever be fresh in our minds.
You’ve fought a brave and tough fight kiddo. You were a gallant gladiator. This column pays its deepest respect for the cutest superfan ever. If you are a football fan, take a moment today and think about this lad.
We can only hope Jim Reeves was right when he said, “Across the bridge there’s no more sorrow”. You belong with the ages now Brad. You’re in great company with the angels.
Peace, perfect peace little one.
Devastating news have refused to steer clear of football it would seem. Fast-forward to Thursday 13th July, 2017 and the worst possible medical outcome (excluding death) had been confirmed to be 20 year old Abelhak Nouri’s (Ajax FC Midfielder) fate after collapsing during a friendly match in Austria against Werder Bremen due to Cardiac arrhythmia.
The official news summarised was that he had suffered “serious and permanent brain damage while his chances of recovery from the damage was nil”
It added: “The diagnosis was made that a lot of his brain is not functioning. All this is probably due to a lack of oxygen supply.”
I cannot emphasize how heart-breaking and deeply saddening this is considering the fact that the game was only a preseason game. A friendly! A pointless piece of commercial commitment! A glorified practice session! For this columnist and many readers, there’s the personal touch of being in the same age bracket with Abelhak.
Edwin Van der Sar (CEO of Ajax) remarked that we will never see how far this star will go. I cannot for a second imagine what his parents and siblings are going through having to process this heavyweight missile for a tragedy.
At this time, this column can only pray for the fortitude to bear the pain for all those related to him.
On another portion of this tragic spectrum and perhaps the least of the evils, this column sincerely hopes to not have to write an emotional eulogy for Nigerian and Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Goalkeeper, Carl Ikeme.
Carl was on the 6th of July diagnosed with Acute Leukemia after abnormal blood tests during a routine pre-season check-up.
The #GKunion (A hashtag for professional goalies), Nigerian Football Federation, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Super Eagles’ teammates have already shown through their messages of solidarity, an unwillingness to let another be lost from the football herd.
The football world stands with Carl Ikeme.
Our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family at this time. Hang in there tight fighter and battle Leukemia to a point of its surrender as per your promise in your tweet that you’re “…ready to give it my all”.
This columnist as a football fan and as a fellow Nigerian wishes you all the best in this uphill battle of yours. You shall overcome. Hopefully football doesn’t lose another.
