Son of ex-Wolves player dies of tumour aged 32
Tributes have been paid to the son of a former Aston Villa and Wolves player who has died of a brain tumour aged just 32.
Father-of-two Ross Blair, who was married to Waterloo Road and Byker Grove actress Holly Matthews, was diagnosed in 2014. His wife has spoken of the family's 'unfathomable' loss.
The property developer suffered a seizure in May after returning from a family holiday and did not recover. He died at Myton Hospice, near Warwick.
He was the son of Andy Blair who was a loan player at Wolves in 1983. His younger brother, Doncaster Rovers winger Matty Blair, is a former Kidderminster Harriers player.
Ms Matthews thanked the hospice for the 'dignity and love' given to her husband and said the support for her family had been 'incredible'. She has raised more than £9,000 for the hospice since he was admitted.
She said: "On Saturday July 29, just as the final whistle was blowing for the end of Saturday football, my incredible husband took his last breath.
"He was surrounded by me, his mum (Dionne Blair), dad (Andy Blair) and sister (Ashley Blair), peacefully and with the support of the incredible Myton Hospice staff.
"The loss we are feeling is unfathomable right now and breaking the news to my daughters was extremely tough, but we are supporting each other and taking it one step at a time."
The couple had two daughters, Brooke, aged six, and four-year-old Texas.
Her husband was diagnosed with a rare grade-4 primitive neuroectodermal brain tumour three years ago, and underwent brain surgery and chemotherapy.
Although he was given a 50-50 chance of surviving at the time, he suffered several setbacks in his battle to beat the disease. His wife has blogged about coping with his illness.
A year ago, he had a second operation to remove three-quarters of the tumour after a scan revealed it had grown, and also received radiotherapy.
But two days after the family returned from a break in the Caribbean, Mr Blair suffered a seizure and his health rapidly deteriorated.
Sarah Lindsell, The Brain Tumour Charity’s chief executive, said: "Since Ross was diagnosed with this devastating disease, Holly has shared their story to help us raise awareness.
"All of us at the charity have been touched by Holly’s courage and honesty. By speaking out about Ross’s last days, she has helped other people facing the same heartbreak and coping with end of life care for their loved ones."
Mr Blair's funeral will be held at Nuneaton Crematorium at 3.45pm on Wednesday, August 9. He left strict instructions about the service which included a request for everyone to wear football shirts, except for Sunderland and Sheffield United tops.
His father made 10 appearances for Wolves whilst on loan from Villa for whom he played for five years in two separate spells. He also played for Coventry City and Sheffield Wednesday and after a spell in Malta returned to play for non-league clubs, including Kidderminster Harriers.
