Players and supporters from Watford joined West Ham in a minute of applause during both the pre-match and 7th minute, with Isla’s photo shown on the screens in London Stadium. Pink armbands also stood stark against the blue and yellow sleeves of the Hammers and Hornets and the match programme was specially designed for the night. Statements from West Ham said, "Rest in peace brave, beautiful Isla, you were an inspiration to us all. Sadly, Isla's fight has come to an end, but her memory and legacy will live on forever." The team also created a special Book of Condolence, a compilation of tributes submitted by the public.
Rest in peace brave, beautiful Isla, you were an inspiration to us all. Sadly, Isla's fight has come to an end, but her memory and legacy will live on forever.
West Ham
For those unfamiliar, Isla Caton was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a childhood cancer, at the age of 2. A fundraiser to get her specialist treatment was contributed to by football fans around the country, allowing Isla to receive years more of time with her family. Despite her fight and multiple rounds of surgeries and therapy, doctors declared treatment ineffective last December. Seven-year-old Isla passed away on the 25th of January, and thousands were either present at her funeral service or online via a video link shared by Nicola.
Isla’s legacy promises to go unforgotten as condolences poured in from people everywhere. Her story touched many over the years, and it extended beyond West Ham supporters. Football clubs around the country held their own special tributes for her memory.
Long-time rivals Millwall Football Club also sent their sympathies as Isla’s story brought about an unprecedented harmony between the clubs. Despite decades of deep-seated bitterness, they set aside their differences and came together to contribute to Isla’s healthcare. Millwall fan Jamie Pearce ran the Brighton Marathon in Isla’s name, saying “...when I saw Isla’s story I felt compelled to do something. If a family like theirs comes to Millwall looking for help then all jokes aside we have to do what we can… I’ve had a great reception and it really shows rivalry doesn’t exist where real matters, especially children, are concerned.”
Pearce cited Tony Munday as his inspiration, who raised more than £20,000 running between the two football club’s stadiums in the Hammers’ claret and blue. In the description of his fundraiser page, he said, “Anyone who knows me will know that I’m a Millwall supporter to the core and that West Ham are the team I love to hate. But when it comes to children and cancer, rivalries and colours become insignificant and we all pull together as one.”
Isla’s story comes only a few years after Bradley Lowery’s. He - like Isla - was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, and passed away in 2017. He is still fondly remembered, and last year a street was named after him in his home of County Durham. The Bradley Lowery Foundation was created in his honour in hopes of assisting families who need treatment beyond the NHS, and Isla’s fundraiser was set up in conjunction with the foundation.
Nikki Caton has been continuously active on social media about increasing awareness and resources to hopefully solve childhood cancer. In her video message for West Ham, she that she will be taking a little break, but expressed her determination to “go on a fight in Isla’s name and … make a difference against childhood cancer and neuroblastoma.” The loss of Isla and Bradley is heartwrenching both in and outside of the football sphere, but the hope is that the attention they brought to the disease will spark a legacy that helps many more young children in need all over the country.
