Tributes have been paid to a young Scots footballer, after he lost his battle with cancer.
Stefan Mauger from the Highlands passed away on Saturday, January 11, at the age of just 20, following a five-year battle with bone cancer.
He has been described by his team a “warrior”, both on and off the pitch.
Posts shared to social media by teams in Ullapool, Lewis and Harris have shared tributes, fond memories and kind words to his family.
Ullapool-based Lochbroom FC said in a statement on Facebook: “Stefan was a warrior both on the pitch and off. He was the captain and a rock in defence of the Ullapool FC U17 team which competed in the Scottish Youth Highland League. He managed a couple of appearances in a Lochbroom top too. A true leader and an even better person.
“Everyone at the club sends Chris, Gina, Vanessa and all the extended family our love and you are in our thoughts.”
The Lewis and Harris Youth Football Association wrote: “The LHYFA would like to pass on our sincere condolences to the Mauger family after the very sad passing of Stefan. Our sympathy also goes out to the football community around Ullapool.”
They wrote about how only a few years ago members of the local Lewis and Harris teams had played with Stefan and his teammates on a regular basis in the Ullapool U17/18 team, saying: “Our lads look back fondly on the time they spent with Stefan’s Ullapool crew.”
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Stefan was also seen a Lewis and Harris YFA shirt alongside teammate Shaun in 2019, when they played with the LHYFA in an Under 15 Highlands and Islands festival in Dingwall.
His team in Ullapool had been by his side since his diagnosis in 2020. Teammates and others from the town’s football community shaved their hair to show solidarity after he lost his own due to chemotherapy. This resulted in a fundraiser which saw thousands of pounds being raised for Teenage Cancer Trust.
Stefan’s funeral will take place at The Church of Scotland, Ullapool, on Tuesday, January 21 at 1pm.
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