Manny's Story

Emanuel (Manny) qualified as a referee in 2023 when he was only 14. From the moment he started, he-showed exceptional commitment, maturity and enthusiasm for the game.

Whether it was early-morning
youth matches or late-evening fixtures, Manny gave every game his full attention and always looked to improve.

Alongside his refereeing he was a keen
footballer playing for a local team and followed his beloved Liverpool Football Club.

In the early summer of 2025 Manny went out to referee a game as normal — just another weekend fixture — though he’d noticed a slight limp in the days before
possibly from a football injury. He thought nothing of it at the time.

However, only a few days later, he received
devastating medical news that turned everything upside down.

Doctors diagnosed him with terminal cancer. There was no long illness or warning — one day he was fit and well, and within days he and his family were
faced with the heartbreaking news that his time is limited, and their lives have been changed forever.

Emanuel told his siblings himself that he would die soon and supported and made sure they were prepared for his passing.

This was a huge shock for everyone who knew him too!

But through it all, Manny stayed true to himself — calm, positive and determined to keep things upbeat. That’s just typical Manny.

His consultant had told him that this
cancer could not be treated and he was going to die. Due to an unknown cancer diagnosis they decided to treat him for a Rhabdomyosarcoma. Manny was
transferred to Manchester to start an intensive chemotherapy programme with a 3 weekly cycle.
As the cancer spread around his body so did the tumours grow. His initial chemotherapy programme had stopped
working and a more intense salvage regime was introduced alongside 10 fractions of radiotherapy.

Mannys health got worse and the disease continued to take over his body.

Manny was never going to get to kick
a football again, the things he was told he would achieve throughout his fight were not going to happen, but his one wish was to die at home surrounded by his family.
Manny passed away 9 months after his football injury. He did not want to die and fought his cancer journey even when others told him to give up.

YNWA Manny 🙏