The Joshua McCormack Family Enclosure at Rochdale AFC

Josh McCormack

Rochdale Football Club has renamed the Crown Oil Arena’s family section as the ‘Joshua McCormack Family Enclosure’ in loving memory of Josh.

Frances Fielding, the club’s Sales and Marketing Manager, said: “Joshua made a massive impact on us all during the short time that we knew him and he will forever be in our hearts.

“It had always been our intention to introduce a permanent memorial to our number 55 and we believe this is a fitting tribute.”

Dale fan Josh and his mum, Nicola McCormack, spent the afternoon at Spotland on 1 February 2016, meeting manager Keith Hill, assistant manager Chris Beech and the entire first team squad.

Dale midfielder Matty Lund with Josh McCormack and his mum, Nicola McCormack, at Rochdale AFC

Josh was Rochdale AFC’s youngest ever signing and was named by manager Keith Hill as one of Dale’s seven substitutes for a match against Hartlepool United in November 2016.

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/4/sport-news/106149/fiveyearold-joshua-mccormack-named-in-dale-squad-for-hartlepool-match

Rochdale players celebrate victory with Joshua McCormack's squad shirt

Josh had initially been diagnosed with the rare, inoperable malignant brain tumour in his brainstem in October 2015. A biopsy later revealed he was suffering from a rare primitive neuroectodermal tumour (PNET). Only 66 people in the world have been diagnosed with PNET. 

Josh underwent surgery in November 2015 with a fifty-fifty chance of surviving. His mum, Nicola, was warned Josh might have facial paralysis and a permanent tracheotomy to help with his breathing.

After eight hours of surgery to remove 75% of the tumour, Josh pulled through without any facial paralysis and did not require any breathing assistance.

He learned to walk again after a couple of weeks of physiotherapy and no longer required a wheelchair in the ward.

Josh died, aged five, on Friday 13 January (2017) after his long battle with brain cancer.

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/107492/fiveyearold-joshua-mccormack-has-died

The ‘Joshua McCormack Family Enclosure’ is located within the Pearl Street Stand.