Elliot Lee paid a moving tribute to late friend Dylan Tombides after scoring for loan club Luton Town
Elliot Lee paid a moving personal tribute to late friend and West Ham United team-mate Dylan Tombides after scoring for loan club Luton Town on Tuesday.
The striker lifted his shirt to show a photo of the striker and the message 'FOR YOU DYL. GONE BUT NEVER FORGOTTEN' after scoring the Hatters' first equaliser in their 3-2 League Two defeat by Wycombe Wanderers.
Lee later scored a second equaliser at Kenilworth Road, after which he kissed a tattoo he had inked in memory of his pal, who passed away in April 2014 after a three-year battle with cancer.
The on-loan West Ham player's performance itself was one Tombides would no doubt have been proud of, as Lee scored with an opportunist strike before doubling his tally by starting a move that he finished with a clinical volley.
Unfortunately, Lee's goals were not enough to avert a fifth straight league defeat for John Still's side, who sit sixth in the League Two table.
In February, West Ham proudly played their part in the launch of the DT38 Foundation in memory of the Academy starlet.
Dylan, whose prodigious talents saw him sign for West Ham in 2008, lost his brave three-year battle with testicular cancer in April 2014, at the age of just 20.
A hugely popular figure among his team-mates, coaches, backroom staff, supporters and opponents alike, the Australia U22 international was loved and respected throughout the football community for his talent, his smile and his spirit.
Dylan’s considerable legacy is now to be channelled through DT38, a new Foundation which is setting out to provide testicular cancer support and awareness through education and opportunity. DT38 becomes the Club’s second official charity for the 2014/15 campaign, alongside the West Ham United Moore Family Foundation.
For more information about DT38 and how you can get involved in the fight against testicular cancer, click here now.
Dylan, whose prodigious talents saw him sign for West Ham in 2008, lost his brave three-year battle with testicular cancer in April 2014, at the age of just 20.
A hugely popular figure among his team-mates, coaches, backroom staff, supporters and opponents alike, the Australia U22 international was loved and respected throughout the football community for his talent, his smile and his spirit.
Dylan’s considerable legacy is now to be channelled through DT38, a new Foundation which is setting out to provide testicular cancer support and awareness through education and opportunity. DT38 becomes the Club’s second official charity for the 2014/15 campaign, alongside the West Ham United Moore Family Foundation.
For more information about DT38 and how you can get involved in the fight against testicular cancer, click here now.