Middlesbrough's former player Anthony Renton has tragically passed away at the age of 27. Renton bravely battled leukaemia for almost nine years.

What happened to Anthony Renton?

Anthony Renton was diagnosed with leukaemia in 2017 at the age of 18. He was a promising defender and had recently signed his first professional terms with Middlesbrough. Despite his illness, Renton continued to be involved in football, coaching at the Middlesbrough academy and other local teams.

Tribute from Middlesbrough

Middlesbrough have paid tribute to Renton, describing him as a "beacon of positivity". The club said: "We are desperately saddened to report the passing of our former academy player Anthony Renton. An inspirational character, Anthony bravely battled leukaemia for almost nine years - and never let it diminish his love of our game." Renton's dedication to supporting young footballers was recognised when he was named the first winner of Middlesbrough's MFC Academy Alumni Award in March 2026.

Legacy of Anthony Renton

Renton's legacy will live on through the many lives he touched in the football community. He coached youngsters at South Park Rangers and RH Coaching, who posted a tribute to him on social media. The current league standing is 5th in Championship, with 80 points from 46 games, and a recent form of LLDDW. Middlesbrough's last result was a 1-0 loss to Hull City on 2026-05-23. | Category | Value | | --- | --- | | League standing | 5th in Championship | | Goals this season | 72 scored, 47 conceded | | Title race | 15 points behind leaders Coventry | | Last result | Hull City 1-0 Middlesbrough (2026-05-23) | | Recent form | LLDDW |

Current context

As Middlesbrough continues to compete in the Championship, the team's thoughts are with Renton's family and friends during this difficult time. The football community has lost a dedicated and inspirational individual, and he will be deeply missed. Middlesbrough's players and staff will undoubtedly be affected by this loss, but they will continue to strive for success on the pitch, inspired by Renton's courage and determination.