Thetownend.com

I've just found out one of our youngsters is currently battling cancer. Steve Hale has been very supportive of him on Twitter & Instagram etc. Even Fodders has sent him a signed Rangers shirt with a 'get well' message.

It'd be awesome for the Swindon faithful to to get a song going on Boxing Day at home as he's in attendance.

Would any of the regular song-starters in the Town End be able to get one going? Or if you know anyone that might be able to help, it'd be a nice thing to do. Good to show support to the lad.

What if the lad doesn't want the attention and may be embarrassed by it?

What type of cancer does he have?

I'm with Arriba. The sentiment may be well intended, but it's a very, very personal matter.

Yeah I agree, well intentioned, but something a little less public eye would be appropriate

I can understand that.

But it wouldn't be anything related to his tragic illness. It could be just about how he's one of our own? Just shows we do notice him even though he's not in the senior squad. Community club n all that. In it together.

Has it been formally announced by the club?

Noble sentiments. But the misgivings still apply. Don't imagine anyone thought for one second that you were furiously trying to construct a chant that rhymed cancer somehow, but whether you reference the illness or not, the lad may appreciate the sentiment or may not welcome the attention. Best find out first.

One of our own?

Would you recognise him if he walked past you in he street?

I know a bit about this as he's a friend of my daughter and I know his dad. It's still early days as he's not long been diagnosed. We should let the family do what they want and butt out.
I'm sure the club will do what is right by them so it's not for a fans group to do anything anyway.
Not yet at least.

Indeed

That's fair enough. I've spoken to a few of his mates and they think he'd love the fans singing his name cause he's Swindon Town through and through.

But I understand that.

No, but I wouldn't recognise half the people we hold minute's applauded or silences for. He's a Swindon Town youngster and it could be nice for him to hear we notice what happens to all our players regardless of age.

Why not a chant of "Declan, Declan give us a wave" then he can choose to like it or lump it.

Is he at the shrewsbury game then?

Personally speaking if I was in his position I'd prefer to be able to switch off from the real world for 90 minutes rather than being reminded, well intentioned or not.

I also know his dad.  He's posted various facebook updates over the last few weeks about hospital appointments etc, but it's only become clear today to a lot of people how serious it was after he posted a link to a justgiving page.

Difficult one. 

As an old raver I'm not surprised you do.
He's not a mate but does work for me quite regularly and was proud of his sons progress at stfc last time I saw him.

Whatever the lad and his family want should be respected. People making assumptions should hold fire imo.

I know his dad as well... I think it'd be worth asking the family before you do anything. It's still very very early.

Just had a chat with his dad who said this...

Declan is hoping to raise awareness and as much money for a local charity called CALM Swindon.
I'll send the link below.
As for a chant. Hes been at the club since the age of 7yr and he is one of our own.

https://www.justgiving.com/Markus-Lehmann/?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=fundraisingpage&utm_content=Markus-Lehmann&utm_campaign=pfp-share

If its "hes one of our own" im Cool with it. :)
And we as a family are truly humbled.

To finalise :)

Nice one tails.

Hi guys.
              I'm truly humbled by your comments and gestures like this really do make us proud to be part of the S.T.F.C family.
Declan is the u16s goalkeeper and has been at the club since the age of 7yrs old and rightly so he is "ONE OF OUR OWN".
Declan is currently undergoing chemotherapy for a tumour which is located infront of his heart. We are hoping that the treatment will eradicate the tumour  (seminoma) so that Declan can return to football at some stage. Wes Foderingham sent him a signed shirt last week and is in contact with Declan which is giving him a boost.
Steve Hale and Lee Peacock have also posted a few things to boost Declans moral.
We have set up a just giving page to raise a few £s for a swindon charity called CALM who are helping us as a family and I'll post the link below.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT C.O.Y.R :)
ABOUT DECLAN :
http://www.nwyfl.co.uk/league-cup-semi-final-draw-update/
TO DONATE :
https://www.justgiving.com/Markus-Lehmann/?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=fundraisingpage&utm_content=Markus-Lehmann&utm_campaign=pfp-share

don't not what do say Declan's dad, thanks for taking the time to post.

it goes without saying out thoughts are with Declan and yourselves, his family and friends.

Declan Lehmann, one of our own. 

Hope you follow in Steve Mildenhall's footsteps and very best wishes right now to you and your family.

I can only imagine what Lee Peacock sent to boost morale! A wrapped present containing a boxing glove on a spring & a crate of lager?

Speechless.

With everything he's going through and he's putting in the effort to raise money for CALM. What a lad.

I'm glad that someone has been able to get the feelings from the family about a song. If anyone is in the Town End on Boxing Day and would be able to get it going, that'd be awesome. I'll definitely be joining in from the Don Rogers stand with the group.

Sending love and best wishes with the recovery during this traumatic time.

On twitter just now

(http://i866.photobucket.com/albums/ab225/mark_woolhouse/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20151221_182813_zpsdyhqg1af.jpg)

I'll be in the DRS on Boxing Day with the family, so if anyone in the Town End is able to get this going, that'd be amazing. As seen above, it'll mean a lot to the lad to hear Swindon's fans sing his name.

Cheers.

Actually something on the OS

http://mobile.swindontownfc.co.uk//news/article/keepers-union-show-support-for-dec-2866521.aspx

Just spotted that on that there twitter. Hopefully this means that plenty of Swindon faithful will get behind the song when they hear it.

He's been given the all clear.

Fantastic news.

:)