Football fans observing West Ham manager Nuno Espirito Santo during his pre-match press conference ahead of Saturday's clash with Everton may have noticed a small pin on his gilet. Positioned just below the Hammers badge, the DT38 pin served as a poignant reminder that the club continues to honour the memory of Dylan Tombides, the young striker who tragically succumbed to testicular cancer 12 years ago this month at the age of 20.
A Beloved Member of the Squad
Tombides was a well-loved figure within the squad. He made a Premier League substitute's bench under caretaker manager Kevin Keen in 2011, just weeks before his cancer diagnosis. Following chemotherapy, he returned to make his solitary first-team appearance under Sam Allardyce in September 2012. Each April, West Ham designates a match to remember the Australian, and this year's backdrop of a relegation battle evokes poignant memories for his mother, Tracy, whose charity the DT38 Foundation raises awareness about testicular cancer.
“It's quite a significant year for me personally, in terms of like the boys being in a relegation battle, because that was the reason Dylan didn't go see the West Ham Medical staff,” Tracy told Mirror Football. “In 2011, he wanted the medical team and all the staff around just to concentrate on football. And so he decided not to go see the medical staff. He went to see his GP and that's why he got misdiagnosed.”
She added: “So it's just even little things like this, the fans place themselves in the situation of where they were last time this situation with the club was happening and that's my situation, understanding that Dylan just wanted everyone to concentrate on the football and let the players play. So it's a reminder of why he went to the GP and then everything flowed on from there.”
“I'm a fan there on Saturdays, even if this Saturday's a bit different. But I understand why when Dylan would come home, he just was like, 'I don't want them to do anything, but focus on their football. I don't want to take their football focus away'.”
DT38 Foundation's Community Work
The charity operates in communities both in the UK and Australia, working to reduce stigma around self-examination for testicular cancer and promoting early detection. Former Hammers players Carlton Cole and Richard Garcia have supported the foundation's efforts in London and Perth, while the current first-team squad trained in DT38 Foundation shirts this week. Tracy recognises the importance of role models in reaching younger generations.
“We're really grateful whenever that can occur because as a mum, I can only do so much and I need the support of the high profile players such as Carlton, such as Richard, just to make young kids sit up and notice,” she added. “Because it's a young kid's disease predominantly. That's why them paying attention to their heroes, to their role models, is vitally important so that message can reach them.”
Carlton Cole Remembers Dylan
Cole, who had two spells with West Ham, shared a pitch with Tombides and formed a strong partnership with him for the Under-21 side. He recalls Tombides as a big character, even at a young age, who could hold his own in a tight-knit dressing room under Allardyce.
“First and foremost, he was a really brilliant player,” Cole said. “I remember playing up front with him for the Under-21s and he was phenomenal, me and him struck up a good bond in that team, so when he came into the first team it was quite easy for him to adapt. Sam Allardyce really loved the way he played and I'm sure he'd have had a bright future ahead of him. It showed you what type of person he was as well…there were some characters in that team and for you to get into that team, you had to have a bit about you.”
“We were really proud when we saw him come into the team and assert himself the way he's supposed to. He was a lovely bright lad, and he made everybody feel at ease around him and he had a bit of banter as well. That always helps in a team like ours. I think he was a little bit boisterous and you needed to have a bit about yourself to be able to navigate in that type of circumstance.”
Fundraising and Legacy
For the first time since West Ham moved to the London Stadium, the DT38 Foundation will conduct a bucket collection outside the ground before the game, urging fans to donate £1 for Dylan if they can. Tracy hopes this initiative will compensate for two other regular events not taking place this year. She expressed gratitude for the support from football fans across England and Australia.
“I often remind people that there is that rivalry there but people don't see a rivalry when it comes to illness, when it comes to cancer, when it comes to sickness, and that's the beauty about it,” she said. “You can have your banter with the opposition team any day of the week, but when it comes to something as serious as losing a son and raising awareness, everybody's on board.”
Beyond fundraising, her goal is ensuring people know how to check themselves for testicular cancer. Alongside West Ham retiring the No.38 shirt and fans applauding at 38 minutes into this weekend's game, that remains a significant part of Dylan's legacy.
