Former footballer dies aged 45 after 11-year battle with MS – as tributes pour in for star who played more than 250 games
A former Football League striker has died aged 45 after an 11-year battle with Multiple Sclerosis.
Tom Youngs passed away on Sunday evening at a hospice in Bury St Edmunds.
He played for Cambridge United, Northampton Town, Leyton Orient, and Bury and made more than 250 League appearances, according to the EFL.
Youngs went on to join Stafford Rangers, Cambridge City, Mildenhall Town and Norwich United as he continued his career down the divisions.
In 2014, he was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis after retiring and starting work as an accountant.
He published an autobiography called ‘What Dreams are (Not Quite) Made of: No Fame, No Fortune, Just Football … and Multiple Sclerosis’ in 2016.
Former Cambridge United striker Tom Youngs has died aged 45 after an 11-year battle with MS
Cambridge United wrote in their obituary: ‘Tom will be remembered as a gifted player who, with probing, darting runs, intelligent positioning and poise in front of goal, graced the Abbey Stadium between 1997 and 2003.’
Northampton Town added: ‘Tom was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, a life-changing event that he faced with the same resilience and honesty that marked his entire career.
‘He later wrote a moving and insightful book reflecting on both his footballing days and his experience with the disease, offering comfort and inspiration to many.’
In 2017, Youngs opened up on his diagnosis in an interview with the BBC. He had been working as an assistant manager for Mildenhall when he noticed something was off.
‘I’d had a cold and realised shortly into the game that I couldn’t follow what was going on,’ Youngs said. ‘I couldn’t follow the ball.
‘I didn’t think too much of it, but when I went to work the next week I couldn’t see my screen very well.
‘To start with it was pretty horrible as I knew nothing about MS
‘One person can be wheelchair bound quite quickly, others can live their whole lives without noticing any problems. There is a whole spectrum of outcomes. That not knowing is still scary.
‘You just keep your fingers crossed and hope nothing too debilitating comes along. I met a man who’d had his first diagnosis. He was 62 or 63 and had suddenly started to struggle with his feet and to walk.
‘When that takes hold at that age it’s a real game changer. That is one of the possibilities, but I just carry on in that typical footballer way – take each day as it comes.’
More to follow.
