A standing ovation greeted former Carlisle United man Joe Thompson as the inspirational footballer stepped up to receive a special award.

Thompson, who is fighting cancer for a third time, was presented with the Billy Seymour Impact Award at this week’s Armstrong Projects North West Football Awards.

The 35-year-old was recognised for his “continued inspirational impact on the footballing world”.

Thompson has earned widespread love and admiration for his courage, openness and mindset as he confronts Hodgkin’s Lymphoma again.

The former midfielder, who played for the Blues in the 2015/16 season, now works as an inspirational speaker, working with sports people and those in the corporate world.

Thompson is also raising funds both for the ongoing costs of his own major treatment as well as an ambition to fund groundbreaking cancer research and eventually to establish a wellness centre in the north west.

The former Rochdale favourite, applauded to the stage at Emirates Old Trafford on Monday night, explained how he had “travelled 3,717 miles, back from Dubai” for the event, Thompson having been on a family holiday as the “worst kept secret” of his award loomed.

Addressing the audience, Thompson gave a powerful and philosophical speech as he urged everyone present to “celebrate life”.

“In the words of a lost soul, roaming the land, adversity comes in different ways, and affects people differently. But love and unity will always unite,” he said.

“We’ve all been in the darkness before, until we’re guided by the light. Some people are born in the dark, some people merely adopt it.

Joe Thompson speaks to the audience at the Armstrong Projects North West Football Awards 2024Joe Thompson speaks to the audience at the Armstrong Projects North West Football Awards 2024 (Image: ER PHOTOGRAPHY)

“The fire may sometimes not be roaring. But the flame will always eternally flicker.

“[After] two years of drowning in my tears, tonight I stand before you all not as an inspiration – merely a humble human being who is truly grateful for the gesture.

“If you feel like you’ve helped me in any way, please stand up. That’s my cue to the whole of this room to stand up. As you do, I want you to raise a glass. Tonight, we celebrate life. God is real, and he’s within you all.”

The awards evening helped to raise money for Thompson’s £250,000 fundraising drive.

He was diagnosed with cancer for a third time in March this year, having previously faced the disease from 2013 and 2017 before he retired from playing in 2019.

Speaking after his third diagnosis, Thompson said the cancer had returned aggressively, at stage 4, and had gone onto his lungs.

Joe Thompson pictured scoring for Carlisle United against Plymouth Argyle in 2015 - his first goal after a previous cancer battleJoe Thompson pictured scoring for Carlisle United against Plymouth Argyle in 2015 - his first goal after a previous cancer battle (Image: Barbara Abbott)

“We’ve walked through darkness as a family before and we will do it again," he said.

A number of fundraising initiatives have since taken place in support of Thompson, including a big charity walk around a number of football clubs in the Greater Manchester area last month.

His former Carlisle team-mates Michael Raynes, Jason Kennedy, Luke Joyce and Dan Hanford, plus manager Keith Curle, took part in the walk.

To donate to Joe Thompson’s fundraising bid, click HERE