Former Keeper Fülöp Dies Thursday, 12th Nov 2015 11:59 Former Town keeper Márton Fülöp has died aged 32 after a long battle with cancer. The Hungarian international, who spent a year with the Blues between 2010 and 2011, first noticed symptoms in February 2013 and twice underwent surgery in the following months, the second operation to remove a tumour in his arm. In the November of that year he was given the all-clear to return to football and had hoped to resume his career. Fülöp was signed by Roy Keane from his former club Sunderland in August 2010 for an undisclosed fee. The Budapest-born keeper went on to make 38 appearances for Town before he joined West Brom on a free transfer in August 2011. Blues U21s coach Mark Kennedy, a team-mate during his time with Town, paid tribute on the club site: “I was shocked when I heard the news this morning. "Márton was a fantastic pro. He always conducted himself properly, trained well but more importantly than that, he was a really lovely guy. He always had a smile on his face.” Ex-Town manager Paul Jewell added: “I tried to sign Márton when I was at Wigan. I watched him a few times and he always impressed. I worked with him for a short time at Ipswich and he was a great pro. "He was a gentle giant and a very respectful person. He was just a good bloke and he was liked by all his team-mates. It’s tragic news and my condolences go out to his family and friends.” Luke Hyam also played alongside Fülöp at Town: “It’s horrible news. He was such a nice guy. You would never see him shouting and screaming at anyone and he’d take any criticism at him in his stride. He was very courteous. Just a good bloke.” Blues MD Ian Milne said: “It’s tragic news. I met him a few times and he came across as a really nice guy. A gentleman. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this very sad time.” Fülöp's Town and Sunderland manager Keane said: "I was shocked and saddened to learn of Márton's death. "I worked with Márton at Sunderland and Ipswich and I found him to be a great pro, and even more importantly, he was a great lad. My deepest sympathies go to Márton's family and friends." England manager Roy Hodgson added: “I worked with him for a year at West Brom so I’m really devastated to hear this news. “Márton was a really nice person; a good professional, I’ve got to be honest with you — I didn’t even know about the cancer operation. "It didn’t occur to me there were any health problems at all. So when I was told I was actually quite shocked. “All I can do is pass on my condolences and say it is a really sad day; a sad day for his family but a sad day for football too because he was a really good guy.” In addition to the Blues, Black Cats and Baggies, Fülöp, who won 24 full caps, also spent time with MTK Hungaria, BKV ElÅ‘re, BFC Siófok, Tottenham, Chesterfield (loan), Coventry (loan), Leicester (loan), Stoke (loan), Manchester City (loan) and Asteras Tripoli. Town will be discussing what tribute to pay at their next home game, which is against Wolves a week on Saturday.
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