Key Points
- Emotional Pre-Season Tribute: Supporters of both Bolton Wanderers FC and Everton FC joined together at the Toughsheet Community Stadium to pay tribute to 15-year-old Noah Johnson, who passed away suddenly following a severe asthma attack.
- Family Invited as Special Guests: Noah’s parents, Ryan and Chloe Johnson, alongside his brother Evan and sister Evie, attended the fixture as special guests of Bolton Wanderers, receiving pitchside access and a private hospitality suite.
- 15th-Minute Stadium Ovation: In the 15th minute of the pre-season friendly—symbolising Noah’s age—Everton fans unfurled a commemorative banner reading "Noah, always a blue", as supporters across all stands stood for a minute of applause.
- Personal Support from Everton Players: Everton centre-back James Tarkowski personally visited the Johnson family at their Horwich home following Noah's death, while first-team players Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Michael Keane, and Beto, alongside manager David Moyes, met the family pitchside.
- Battle with Rare Medical Condition: Born with eosinophilic brittle asthma, a severe and unpredictable form of respiratory illness, Noah received specialist care throughout his life at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital before his tragic passing at home on June 11.
- Funeral Memorial: Noah’s funeral, held on June 30, prominently featured his lifelong passion for Everton FC, celebrating his dual affection for his local team, Bolton Wanderers, and his beloved Toffees.
Bolton (Bolton Today) July 28, 2026 - Football rivalries were set aside at the Toughsheet Community Stadium as supporters, players, and coaching staff from Bolton Wanderers FC and Everton FC united in a moving, joint tribute to 15-year-old Horwich resident Noah Johnson, who died unexpectedly on June 11 after suffering a sudden asthma attack at home.
The poignant commemoration took place prior to and during the pre-season friendly fixture between the two clubs. As reported by Isobel Forbes of The Bolton News, the teenager was remembered by thousands of spectators, club officials, and first-team professionals in a deeply personal ceremony that highlighted the unifying power of football amidst heartbreaking tragedy.
Who Was Noah Johnson and What Was His Connection to Bolton Wanderers and Everton?
Noah Johnson was a 15-year-old schoolboy from Berne Avenue in Horwich, near Bolton, whose passion for football formed a central pillar of his life. Throughout his childhood, Noah was an ardent, lifelong Everton supporter, while simultaneously holding a deep affection for his hometown team, Bolton Wanderers, regularly attending matches at the Toughsheet Community Stadium alongside his close circle of local friends.
His dedication to Everton was a source of great joy, culminating in cherished memories as a club mascot during his younger years. Despite suffering from severe, lifelong health issues, Noah’s devotion to the sport remained central to his daily life and relationships.
On June 11, Noah passed away at his home following a sudden and unpredictable asthma attack. The tragedy shocked the local Horwich community, prompting a wave of condolences from neighbors, schoolmates, and football supporters across North West England.
How Did Bolton Wanderers and Everton FC Support the Johnson Family at the Match?
Recognising the profound impact of Noah’s passing on the local community and the wider Everton fanbase, Bolton Wanderers extended an official invitation to Noah’s immediate family—his father Ryan, his mother Chloe, his brother Evan, and his sister Evie—to attend Saturday's pre-season clash as guests of honor.
Bolton Wanderers made extensive arrangements to ensure the family received a memorable and comforting experience during an agonizing period. As reported by Isobel Forbes of The Bolton News, family friend Paul O'Rourke stated that:
"Bolton provided them with a hospitality suite and made their presence felt to all fans by having them pitch side with players from both teams and a tribute to Noah on the big screens before and during the game."
Prior to kick-off, the stadium's large electronic display screens showcased visual tributes and photographs celebrating Noah's life. Ryan, Chloe, Evan, and Evie were escorted down to the pitch perimeter, where they stood alongside players from both squads as stadium announcements acknowledged Noah’s memory to the assembling crowd.
Photos taken on the day capture members of Everton's squad—including midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, defender Michael Keane, striker Beto, and experienced centre-back James Tarkowski—spending time with the family on the pitch prior to warm-ups. Everton head coach David Moyes also personally met with Ryan and Chloe Johnson, offering words of condolence on behalf of the Merseyside club.
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How Did Everton Centre-Back James Tarkowski Go Above and Beyond for the Family?
Beyond the structured stadium events, the compassionate response from individual club members provided significant emotional comfort to the grieving family. In particular, Everton centre-back James Tarkowski demonstrated extraordinary personal support in the wake of the tragedy.
As reported by Isobel Forbes of The Bolton News, family friend Paul O'Rourke confirmed that James Tarkowski personally visited the Johnson family home in Horwich shortly after Noah’s death on June 11 to offer his sympathies in person.
Tarkowski’s gesture, undertaken privately away from media coverage and public relations management, underscored the genuine personal connection between the playing staff and the club's supporter base. On matchday, Tarkowski reconnected with Ryan, Chloe, Evan, and Evie on the pitch, posing for photographs while holding a framed image of Noah in his Everton mascot kit.
How Did Supporters in the Stands Pay Respect in the 15th Minute?
The emotional apex of the afternoon occurred during the first half of the match. To honour Noah's 15 years of life, a coordinated tribute took place exactly fifteen minutes into the contest.
In the away end housing the travelling Everton contingent, supporters unfurled a large custom banner featuring photographs of Noah alongside the message:
"Noah, always a blue".
Simultaneously, fans across all four stands of the Toughsheet Community Stadium—comprising both home Bolton supporters and visiting Everton fans—rose to their feet in unison. The stadium filled with a sustained standing ovation and applause lasting the entire minute, as players on the field and coaching staff in the technical areas joined in acknowledging the memorial display visible on the stadium screens.
What Medical Condition Caused the Sudden Death of the Horwich Teenager?
Noah Johnson was born with a rare, severe respiratory condition known clinically as eosinophilic brittle asthma. Eosinophilic asthma is a distinct subtype of severe asthma characterized by an overabundance of eosinophils—a type of white blood cell—in the lungs and airways, leading to chronic inflammation, swelling, and severe airway constriction.
The "brittle" designation signifies an unusually unstable form of the illness, where sudden, life-threatening asthma attacks can occur rapidly and unpredictably, even when a patient appears stable or is complying fully with preventative medical regimens.
Throughout his life, Noah required specialized medical oversight and received continuous treatment at the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital. Despite the diligent efforts of medical staff and ongoing home management, the unpredictable nature of eosinophilic brittle asthma resulted in the fatal episode on June 11.
How Was Noah’s Memory Honoured During His Funeral Service?
The joint stadium tribute in July followed Noah’s funeral service, which took place earlier in the summer on June 30. The service was designed by his family to be a celebration of his life, with his deep love for football serving as a central theme throughout the ceremony.
Family members, friends, and community members gathered to pay their final respects, with many wearing football shirts and blue attire reflecting his passion for Everton FC. The funeral arrangements commemorated Noah's enthusiasm for sport, his strong bonds with family and friends in Horwich, and the resilience he demonstrated while managing a chronic health condition throughout his childhood.
What Does This Joint Tribute Demonstrate About Football Community Solidarity?
While competitive football matches are frequently defined by rivalries and tactical competition, events such as the memorial for Noah Johnson highlight the capacity of the sport to serve as a unifying community platform during times of grief.
The collaboration between Bolton Wanderers and Everton FC demonstrated a shared commitment to supporting local families in crisis. By granting pitchside access, displaying screen tributes, facilitating direct interaction with first-team players and managers, and coordinating fan displays in the 15th minute, both institutions ensured that a tragic loss was met with dignified, collective empathy.
For the Johnson family, the public display of solidarity provided a memorable tribute to a beloved son and brother, ensuring that Noah Johnson’s memory remains permanently linked with the football clubs he cherished throughout his life.