The widow of late footballer Joe Thompson has made an emotional revelation that she is expecting his baby through IVF treatment using frozen embryos preserved before his tragic death. Chantelle Thompson, who lost her husband to cancer last April, is now 25 weeks pregnant with what would have been their fourth child together.
A Legacy Continued Through Modern Medicine
Joe Thompson, who came through Manchester United's prestigious academy system before establishing himself as a professional footballer, passed away at just 36 years old after battling cancer for the third time. The former midfielder had been diagnosed with stage four lymphoma, an aggressive form of blood cancer, leaving behind his devoted wife Chantelle and their two young daughters, Thailula and Athena Rae.
Thompson's football career spanned several clubs including notable spells at Rochdale, Tranmere Rovers, Southport, Bury and Carlisle United before his retirement in 2019. He remains best remembered for his heroic last-minute goal in 2018 that secured Rochdale's League One survival - a dramatic moment later honored as Laureus' Sporting Moment of the Year.
Emotional Revelation and Unfulfilled Vision
In an exclusive interview with ITV News, Chantelle Thompson shared the profound significance of her pregnancy. "It just means absolutely everything," she revealed. "I know it's never going to replace Joe obviously. Joe's Joe. But to be able to bring his baby into the world again is beautiful."
The grieving widow disclosed that her husband had experienced a poignant vision approximately six months before his passing. "He actually had a vision of us sat outside with a baby boy," Chantelle explained. "He assumed that it was all of us together."
Remarkably, just two weeks before his death, Thompson experienced a heartbreaking realization during a quiet moment in their garden. "He just had a realisation and was like, 'I think I was watching you with the baby and the girls in the garden, not me physically here with you'," Chantelle recalled through tears.
Medical Journey and Previous Loss
Joe Thompson's health battles were well-documented, beginning with his initial Hodgkin lymphoma diagnosis in 2013. After recovering, the cancer returned four years later, leading to a second recovery before he ultimately retired from professional football in 2019. Following his playing career, Thompson became a regular pundit on MUTV while also serving as an ambassador, motivational speaker and life coach.
The couple's journey to parenthood has been marked by both joy and tragedy. They previously lost their baby Dre just three days before the due date, a devastating blow that occurred before Thompson's own passing. Chantelle expressed particular relief that their IVF treatment succeeded on the first attempt this time.
"It means absolutely everything, and to be blessed for it to work first time," she said emotionally. "We'd gone through IVF for three years trying to get pregnant with baby Dre. But I just knew, I knew the timing was right, I knew Joe's messages were right."
Gender Revelation and Memorial Plans
In a touching detail, Chantelle revealed that Thompson had already selected a name for their potential son before his death. She currently possesses an unopened email containing the baby's gender information, waiting to share this revelation during a small gathering with both families to discover whether her husband's prediction was accurate.
"I hope so because I've only got a boy's name," she added with a bittersweet laugh.
As the first anniversary of Joe's death approaches on April 17, Chantelle acknowledges feeling apprehensive about the difficult milestone. "I try to see the positive in things," she reflected. "Don't get me wrong, there are times where I do think 'Why us? Why have the girls not their dad? Why have we gone through this?'"
She continued with emotional wisdom: "You've got to also allow yourself to be sad, but then also try and think of the positives, and what a guy he was, and all the memories that we had together, and the 13 years I've had with him."
Continuing His Legacy
On May 2, Thompson's friends and family will honor his memory by repeating his 2024 fundraising walk, beginning at Rochdale's Spotland Stadium where he made over 200 appearances and concluding at his childhood club Manchester United.
"It's just something we want to do annually, just to celebrate Joe and remember Joe," Chantelle explained. "Because life does go on for everyone else as well, and I think for us it's important that we can continue the work he did when he was here, and keep that alive."
Manchester United paid heartfelt tribute to their former academy player following his death last April, while the football community continues to remember Thompson not only for his on-field heroics but for his courageous battle against cancer and his inspirational work as a motivational figure following his retirement from the sport he loved.
