West Ham United Academy recently hosted a screening of Premier League Stories: Dylan Tombides, a moving documentary chronicling the life, career and untimely passing of former West Ham player Dylan Tombides.
The U16s and U18s squads gathered for the 51-minute feature at Chadwell Heath Training Ground in the Dylan Tombides Learning Centre, inaugurated in 2019 on what would have been Dylan’s 25th birthday, a fitting location for the tribute.
Before the screening, Academy Education Manager Jamie Bather addressed the young Hammers. He said: “The purpose of today’s screening is to learn who Dylan Tombides was. We hold him in such high regard at West Ham, supporting the DT38 Foundation and honouring his legacy daily in these classrooms named after him. By knowing his story, I want you to understand the impact he had and the importance of early cancer detection, knowing how to check for testicular cancer and sharing this knowledge to help protect others.”
Tombides’ impact and legacy is evident at the West Ham United Academy. Around the Chadwell Heath Training Ground, the values of Togetherness, Excitement, Hard Work and Attitude+ are constant reminders of the qualities Dylan embodied and the standards expected of every Academy player striving to represent West Ham.
Reflecting on these values, Academy Manager Kenny Brown commented: “Our values are not just words on a wall; we live by them every day. These standards and behaviours are essential for all our players and staff. Dylan personified them in abundance, which is why it’s so important for us to carry on his legacy. That’s the essence of what it means to be a West Ham player.”
Growing up in Perth before relocating to Macau in the Far East, Dylan joined the West Ham Academy in 2008 at age 14, where he quickly made a name for himself as a talented striker with impressive ball control and an eye for goal. He was named on the bench for West Ham’s final Premier League match of the 2010/11 season and went on to represent Australia at the U17 FIFA World Cup, scoring in their 2-1 win over Ivory Coast.
Soon after, however, Dylan received a diagnosis of testicular cancer. Despite facing intense treatments, he continued training and even made his senior debut for the Hammers in an EFL Cup tie against Wigan Athletic in September 2012. His incredible resolve to stay positive and continue his journey with the Club became an inspiration. Tragically, Dylan passed away on 18 April 2014, with his family by his side, at just 20 years old.
After watching the documentary, U18s vice-captain Airidas Golambeckis reflected on Dylan’s story. He said: “It was heartbreaking. Dylan was a hard-working player who truly represented what it means to be part of the Academy. Seeing how highly he’s regarded by the Club and by the fans is incredibly inspiring.”
Reflecting on the learnings of the documentary for the young players, West Ham Academy Player Care Manager Ian Lowe concluded: “Dylan is West Ham; he is Chadwell Heath. We’re incredibly proud of how he represented the Club, both as a player and as a person, showing the attitude and excellence we value. Through his resilience and fighting spirit, he set a standard we hold dear. Watching his story, I hope these young players feel inspired to uphold the Academy values that Dylan embodied so well.”
For more information about The DT38 Foundation and the fight against testicular cancer, click here
