Ex-Manchester United star Bobby Power’s daughter has shared a touching tribute to the footballer after he died following a battle with pancreatic cancer aged 40.
The academy player-turned-personal trainer’s daughter Kaitlyn Eadsforth, 19, said he was ‘the best dad in the world’ in a series of touching social media tributes following his death on February 29.
A week before, she had shared touching images of his Valentine’s Day wedding to childhood sweetheart, Jemma Power-Bliss – with the pair seen sharing a tender embrace after being married before he passed away.
Kaitlyn wrote in her tribute: ‘Rest in paradise dad you don’t need to suffer anymore. I love you forever and always I’m forever grateful for everything you have done for me, best dad in the world.’
The footballer passed away at Dr Kershaw’s Hospice in Oldham just two weeks after marrying his childhood sweetheart, Jemma Power-Bliss, in front of friends and family on Valentine’s Day.
The sportsman also left behind two other young daughters: Loren, 20, and 12-year-old Heidi.
Kaitlyn Eadsforth shared touching images of her father Bobby Power’s Valentine’s Day wedding to childhood sweetheart, Jemma Power-Bliss
She posted a touching tribute to Facebook, which read: ‘Rest in paradise dad you don’t need to suffer anymore’
Pictures show the footballer marrying his childhood sweetheart Jemma Power-Bliss among bridesmaids, including his second daughter Kaitlyn (back right). The wedding took place weeks before Bobby’s death
Bobby Power, 40, (pictured before his illness) has died at Dr Kershaw’s Hospice in Oldham following a battle with pancreatic cancer
Bobby’s health declined massively after he became ill with pancreatic cancer
Bobby married his childhood sweetheart Jemma just weeks before his tragic death
Bobby, who has three daughters, has passed away after suffering from pancreatic cancer
Bobby featured as Gorgeous’ Gordon Burley in the cult classic football film ‘There’s Only One Jimmy Grimble’ in 2000
Bobby was a talented footballer who went on to work as a personal trainer and fitness guru
Scores of comments were left on Kaitlyn’s posts, wishing her and her family well.
One friend said: ‘You should be so proud of how you have all dealt with everything. You have all done him so proud and you were his world.’
Another added: ‘I’m so sorry for your loss it’s truly heartbreaking. I hope you and ur family are ok and I’m sending all my love to you all ,your dad was a wonderful man and fantastic dad he will be forever missed.’
Bobby was a youth player at Manchester United in the 1990s, before becoming a personal trainer and gaining a huge following on social media as a motivational fitness guru who enjoyed climbing outdoors.
As a teenager he also featured as Gorgeous’ Gordon Burley in the cult classic football film ‘There’s Only One Jimmy Grimble’ in 2000.
Friends of the footballer described his wedding to childhood sweetheart Jemma as ‘beautiful’ and ‘special’, allowing the couple to share their vows at ‘very short notice’ before tragedy struck.
Moving images show the pair holding hands surrounded by loved ones on their wedding day, with Bobby appearing visibly unwell in comparison to his formerly muscular appearance.
A JustGiving page set was set up by friend of the star Leigh Sarsfield, who thanked those who contributed to the wedding.
‘[Thanks] for organising a beautiful wedding to allow Bobby & Jem to become husband and wife at very short notice and making their day so special the continued support for Bobby and his family at such a challenging time from each and every staff member is truly incredible, we cannot thank you enough,’ the page read.
Bobby was known by friends and family as an incredibly fit person who would visit the gym three times a day, making his sudden diagnosis even more devastating.
He was a United youth footballer from northern Manchester when Sir Alex Ferguson was in charge at Old Trafford.
The sportsman’s mother, Estrella Barry, recalled the moment Bobby told her he had pancreatic cancer. ‘I was like ”no way, not you… you’re going to live to 110”. But unfortunately it was true,’ she said.
Bobby first knew something was wrong when he felt more lethargic than usual after climbing a mountain. He then began lacking appetite before beginning to turn ‘yellow’.
Bobby was known by friends and family as an incredibly fit person who would visit the gym three times a day
Bobby began to lose weight and muscle quickly after he tragically developed cancer
Bobby is pictured in hospital as he battled pancreatic cancer
Bobby began lacking appetite and began to turn ‘yellow’ before he found out he had cancer
The sportsman gained a huge following on social media as a motivational fitness guru
Bobby was an adored father to his three daughters, Loren, Kaitlyn and Heidi
Bobby enjoyed climbing mountains in the great outdoors and would go to the gym several times a day
Bobby was a motivational fitness guru who enjoyed climbing in the great outdoors
Bobby was known for his positive attitude towards fitness and mental health
Bobby married his childhood sweetheart Jemma Power-Bliss just weeks before his death
Bobby shares an emotional embrace with Jemma on their ‘special’ and ‘beautiful’ wedding day
Bobby is seen with his wife Jemma on their wedding day, just weeks before death
Bobby was a talented footballer who went on to become a fitness guru
Bobby took care of himself and was known buy friends and family as being very physically fit
His muscles started to disintegrate as his cancer progressed and he soon became unrecognisable in appearance, with hospital pictures showing him looking gaunt and unwell.
‘He spent the rest of his life trying to find a cure. He wanted to live for his girls. He did everything he could,’ said Estrella.
She added: ‘If he wasn’t at the gym he was climbing mountains. He loved helping other people. That’s what he was all about really, helping people physically and mentally.’
One of his three daughters, Kaitlyn Eadsforth, paid an emotional tribute to her father. ‘He was really outgoing. Literally anywhere he went, he would talk to anyone,’ she said.
‘He was like a social butterfly, in any room that he went in.’
Estrella later told the Manchester Evening News that doctors had agreed to surgery a month before he died – before blood began leaking into his abdomen, stopping it from going ahead.
‘He spent the rest of his life trying to find a cure,’ she said. ‘He wanted to live for his girls. He did everything he could.’
