Former Derry City striker Mark Farren has died, aged 33.
Farren was Derry City's leading goalscorer with 114 goals since they joined the League of Ireland in 1985. He beat Liam Coyle's record by two goals.
The striker originally retired in 2008 when he was diagnosed with a brain tumour before returning to the Derry side in 2011.
It is with great sadness that we learn this morning of the passing of the clubs all-time top goal scorer Mark Farren https://t.co/BxBpsow9mY
— Derry City FC (@derrycityfc) February 3, 2016
He ended his career at Glenavon in the Irish League, but retired again in 2014 following a routine scan stated he needed more radioactive therapy.
A massive fundraising initiative took place last year to send Farren to Mexico to undergo treatment on a grade four brain tumour. Martin O'Neill and Michael O'Neill managed Derry City and Northern Ireland teams for a fundraising match at The Brandywell which Farren attended.
League of Ireland opponents of Farren have taken to twitter this morning to express sympathies on the tragic news.
Shocked to hear of the passing of mark Farren one the gents of the game and boy could he play had the pleasure to call him a friend #rip
— Raff Cretaro (@RaffCretaro) February 3, 2016
Sorry to hear about Mark Farren passing away a genuinely lovely fella thoughts are with his friends and family. #rip mark
— Graham Gartland (@Garts6) February 3, 2016
RIP Mark Farren 😢- loved watching him play for Derry city and scoring goals, what a player
— Paddy madden î„î„ (@Paddymadden) February 3, 2016
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