West Ham United proudly hosted a special screening of Premier League Stories: Dylan Tombides at Curzon Bloomsbury on Wednesday 2 April, to mark the start of Testicular Cancer Awareness Month.

The documentary celebrates the life and legacy of Dylan Tombides, a hugely talented West Ham United and Australian international footballer who tragically passed away in 2014 at just 20 years old, following a three-year battle with testicular cancer.

Attended by West Ham United and DT38 representatives and supporters including Mens’s First Team Head Coach, Graham Potter, David Sullivan Jr, Academy Manager, Kenny Brown, former West Ham player, Matt Jarvis, Bake Off winner, Matty Edgell and Love Island star, Georgia Harrison. The event kicks off a month of activity to raise awareness of the disease, its symptoms and where to get support in association with the DT38 Foundation. The charity was founded in Dylan’s memory by his mother, Tracy Tombides, and the Tombides family. As an official charity partner of West Ham United, DT38 is dedicated to educating young men about testicular cancer, encouraging regular self-checking, and promoting early detection – all with the aim of saving lives.

The Premier League Stories documentary offers a powerful insight into Dylan Tombides’ remarkable life and career. Born in Perth, Australia, Dylan’s prodigious talent shone early. After excelling at Perth Soccer Club and Stirling Lions, his family moved to east London, where he joined West Ham United’s Academy in 2009, aged 15.

At just 17, he was named in West Ham’s squad for a Premier League match against Sunderland in May 2011. However, around this time, he was misdiagnosed with a benign cyst. A doping test at the FIFA U-17 World Cup later that year revealed the true cause being testicular cancer.

Despite enduring chemotherapy, major surgery, and setbacks, Dylan’s resilience never wavered. In September 2012, he made his first-team debut in a League Cup tie against Wigan Athletic, fulfilling a lifelong dream.

Tragically, the cancer returned aggressively. Yet, Dylan remained a regular presence at the training ground, inspiring teammates with his infectious smile and spirit. In January 2014, he summoned the strength to represent Australia at the AFC U-22 Championship in Oman – his final match. Dylan passed away on 18 April 2014, aged 20, surrounded by his family.

Tracy Tombides, Dylan’s mother and founder of the DT38 Foundation, said:

“Dylan’s determination to be a professional athlete for a long time and a cancer patient for a short time endeared him to everyone that he came into contact with. During his three-year battle with testicular cancer, Dylan trained continuously, with the club making sure that his football and medical needs were connected. His resilience, his determination, his love are the driving force for all of us at DT38, with our mission to save lives through early detection, our focus. His story is so incredibly sad, he had the world at his feet.”

The day after his death, the Club paid tribute to Dylan during a match against Crystal Palace, where his No.38 shirt was laid in the centre circle – a number that has since been retired by the club in his honour. The Club have maintained a close relationship with Dylan’s family and his foundation for almost 11 years since his passing, the anniversary will be observed by the Club later this month.

Vice-Chair of West Ham United, Baroness Karren Brady CBE said:

“Dylan was an exceptional young man whose strength and determination in the face of adversity were truly inspirational. His legacy lives on not only through DT38’s life-saving work but also in the hearts of everyone at West Ham United. Tonight’s event is a fitting tribute to Dylan’s remarkable story and a chance to raise further awareness of the importance of regular self-checking and early diagnosis.”