Rendlesham teenager Kaylem Scopes dies from leukaemia aged 16

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 20 Oct, 07:02 · Archive

Kaylem Scopes, a 16-year-old Ipswich Town academy footballer from Rendlesham, has died from leukaemia.

Kaylem Scopes, a 16-year-old from Rendlesham, has died from leukaemia. Born on 13 August 2010, he lived with his parents Jenna and Liam, and his younger siblings Alyssa, 13, and Kye, 7.

Kaylem was diagnosed with leukaemia in October 2025 after feeling unwell following a football match. A GP suspected glandular fever, but his family took him to hospital where doctors delivered the leukaemia diagnosis. He underwent months of intensive treatment.

Despite his illness, Kaylem remained positive and refused to let it define him. His mother said he 'never got upset, never moaned, and just took everything in his stride'. She added that 'the doctors and nurses absolutely loved him. He just charmed everybody'.

Football was central to Kaylem's life from an early age. He joined Woodbridge Town as a young boy, where he was coached by his father, before being scouted by both Ipswich Town and Norwich City. He chose Ipswich and spent several years in the club's academy system from under-eight to under-14 level. His mother recalled that he 'started playing football as soon as he could walk, probably before then', with his parents holding his hands as he tried to kick a ball.

How it is being reported

• Tributes to football-crazy 16-year-old who 'took everything in his stride'Rendlesham teenager Kaylem Scopes has died from leukaemia, aged 16. Kaylem was a football-loving Ipswich Town academy player.Ipswich Star · 20 Oct, 06:00
• Tributes to football-crazy 16-year-old who 'took everything in his stride'Rendlesham teenager Kaylem Scopes has died from leukaemia, aged 16. Kaylem was a football-loving Ipswich Town academy player.East Anglian Daily Times · 20 Oct, 06:00

In this story: Kaylem Scopes · Jenna Scopes · Liam Scopes · Ipswich Town · Norwich City · Rendlesham · Woodbridge Town

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