A fundraiser has been launched for the family of an Oldham football coach whose three-year-old son has received a “devastating” cancer diagnosis.

Last Wednesday, coach Daniel Squibbs, 40, who has been running Dan’s Dribblers for 10 years, shared the heartbreaking news that his youngest son Tommy, has leukaemia.

An emotional Facebook post by Dan and his wife Charlotte, reads: “Today we are sharing the devastating news we received on Monday, September 4 after an innocent visit to the doctors.

“Our little legend Tommy has leukaemia.

“As a family, we are dealing with the shock of it whilst processing how on earth we tell his big brothers.

“Through the tears, we are channelling positivity. Outcomes are far better than years before and ultimately thinking the worst isn’t going to help us but that will be tough at times.

“We know we have a huge network of support and appreciate all well wishes that we get but forgive us for our silence as we process what the next few years holds for us.”

In an update the following day Dan wrote that Tommy had had a “successful operation” to allow him to receive medicine and start chemotherapy.

He added: “We know we’re in for the biggest fight of our lives but with everyone’s support and prayers we know Tommy will fight this with everything he has (he already has all the nurses fighting over him.”

Speaking to The Oldham Times on Monday, Dan, who is from Royton but now lives in Rochdale, said that Tommy has started his first round of chemotherapy and will be undergoing four rounds up until February.

He said the family took Tommy to the GP after noticing he had a rash on his body and was bruising easily. A nurse advised them to immediately take Tommy to A&E and he was later diagnosed.

The dad of three said the support his family has since received has been “overwhelming” and that he has been “blown away”.

This week two mums who met through their sons attending the Dan's Dribblers set up a GoFundMe page to raise funds for the Squibbs family.

The page created by Gemma Murphy and Jenny Dyer aims to raise £5,000 to help support the family financially while Dan takes a break from football sessions, his only source of income, to be by Tommy’s side and comfort his two older brothers.

Dan is described on the page as “simply THE best coach” and “a positive role model” who “has the ability to make each of his dribblers feel special, remembering little details that so many of us couldn’t”.

The page adds: “He gives so much to the community and asks for nothing in return.

“As a football community, we are all devastated to hear what Tommy and the Squibb’s family are going through.

“As a community, we want to do all we can to help Dan, Charlotte, and the boys financially, so they can focus all their attention on Tommy.”

On Sunday evening Dan shared the details of the GoFundMe page on Facebook and wrote: “The outpouring of love and support we have received is so heartwarming and this just adds to it. Very honoured to have such thoughtful people in our lives.”

To donate go to the GoFundMe page which can be found on the Dan’s Dribblers Facebook page.