Match to support footballer battling brain tumour

A women's football match on Sunday will be dedicated to a teenage player who is currently undergoing treatment for a brain tumour.

Roxy Thomas, 18, who plays for Torquay United Women, received the diagnosis in August and is currently in intensive care in Bristol following a series of operations.

A fundraiser was set up to support Thomas and her family and has raised upwards of £22,000.

Torquay take on her former club Plymouth Argyle Women in the FA Women's National League Cup at Home Park and the home side have agreed to donate all the money raised from tickets sales to the cause.

Torquay United said "the prayers, thoughts and best wishes of everyone here at Plainmoor remain with her, her family, friends and teammates throughout this period".

The club said "every penny raised" would be used to support Thomas and her family with travel costs, accommodation during hospital stays, loss of income during treatment and further medical expenses not covered by the NHS.

The left-back came through Plymouth Argyle before signing for the Gulls in 2025 where she played a significant role in a treble-winning season and was named Young Player of the Season.

Torquay United said the players have, and would continue to, wear yellow armbands bearing her number - three.

"Sunday will be about much more than the result," the club said.

"It's an opportunity for two clubs, and the wider football community, to come together and show their support for Roxy and her family."

Marine Academy Plymouth Ladies FC organised a similar initiative at a recent fixture against Torquay where £700 was donated from gate receipts.

The Plymouth Argyle Men's First Team squad contributed to a £1,250 donation while Torquay said 20% of each sale of its new women's home shirt would also be given to the family.

Torquay United Women's manager Ryan Perks said: "Roxy is a wonderful young person as well as an exceptionally talented footballer and everyone within our group is thinking about her and her family right now.

"Roxy has shown tremendous strength and courage and we will be alongside her and her family every step of the way."

Plymouth Argyle Men's head coach Tom Cleverley said it would be an "emotional day".

He said he hoped as many fans as possible would attend for what was a "brilliant cause".

Head coach of Plymouth Argyle Women Matt Green coached Thomas from the age of 14 before he oversaw her progression to the first team.

He said she was an "unbelievable talent" and "a really good player but more importantly a really good person as well and a pleasure to be around".

Green said Thomas was the "life and soul of many social events" and the "terrible" and "really upsetting" news had affected a number of people at the club.

"The whole football community has come together," he said.

"It's hit the community quite hard and we all want to send our best wishes and prayers from the whole of the football club and the women's football community as a whole to Roxy and her family."

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