Bournemouth and Norwich lead classy matchday tributes to David Brooks and Dan Barden after midfielder’s Hodgkin lymphoma and goalkeeper’s testicular cancer diagnosis
A number of teams paid classy tributes to Bournemouth’s David Brooks and Norwich’s Dan Barden after both were devastatingly diagnosed with cancer over the past week.
The Cherries' 24-year-old star Brooks had previously revealed the shock news that he has been diagnosed with stage two Hodgkin lymphoma after withdrawing from the Wales squad to begin treatment.
More sad news was to come as Norwich City announced that 20-year-old goalkeeper Barden was to step away from the game after being diagnosed with testicular cancer.
Ahead of Bournemouth’s Championship fixture against Huddersfield on Saturday, the club played out a video of Brooks’ clearly emotional teammates sending their best wishes to the Welsh winger.
Players from their opponents, Huddersfield, also wore warm-up t-shirts with the words 'Together as one, stay strong Brooksy' across the chest in a classy gesture from the visiting side.
Both sets of supporters then stood and applauded throughout the seventh minute of the match in homage to Brooks’ shirt number.
Fellow second tier side Luton Town also offered their support to Brooks, with shirts featuring his picture and the message ‘Everyone at Luton is with you Brooksy’ before their match against Hull.
Norwich have similarly paid tribute to Barden before their Premier League loss to Chelsea with shirts showing his name and the words ‘We’re with you, stay strong Dan’.
Barden was spending the season on-loan at Scottish side Livingstone, and has thanked everyone at both of his teams for their support.
"It has been a very difficult and challenging period, but the support of my family, friends and colleagues has helped get me through the last few weeks," Barden said on Norwich’s official website.
"I can't thank the medical departments at both Norwich and Livingston enough, as well as everyone at the Royal Marsden Hospital.
"The speed at which everything has moved has been crazy, but everyone has been absolutely brilliant with me. Both Daniel Farke and the Livingston manager, David Martindale, have also been very supportive.
"The initial diagnosis was a real shock for me, but the positive thing is that we've caught it early and the prognosis and next steps have all been positive.
"I'm optimistic and have a positive mindset. I'm confident that I'll be able to beat it and that I'll be back out there doing what I love soon."
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