[Thurnscoe_OWL]

Such terrible news. We're all here with you Steve

[Statesideowl]

I have nothing but love & positivity for you and yours, Steve.

[BBB]

Keep battling MS, and see Your team promoted to the Premiership.

[Towinjustonce]

Keep fighting Steve our thoughts are with you and all the best.

[Southeyowl]

Keep fighting Steve! WAWAW!

[Jacko The Flopsy Piglet]

Horrible news. My thoughts are with you and your family. Keep battling.

[madsteve]

I am now in Shrewsbury Royal Hospital but they cannot find what is wrong & it appears that I have to struggle along.

If you want a consolation, My grandfather died in April 1980 - Wednesday got promoted. My mum died in September 1983 - Wednesday got promoted so there might be a silver lining for Young Padawan and you guys. Hoping to be out in the morning but if not, I will get YP to do a match report.

Thanks for the kind words.

[Statesideowl]

I hope that is figured out sharpish, Steve.

Youngster needs some appraisal, it takes a lot to go through the plight of cancer with a family member. One day we'll beat it.

[St Charles Owl]

I hope I am not offending any family or friends of Madsteve by posting this on here but I saw tonight that Steve Ball aka Madsteve sadly passed away today.  I have copied and pasted below a post his son Max put on Facebook a few hours ago:

"Tonight is a hammer blow and the world is a worse place today as a kind, intelligent and caring Husband, Father and friend concedes defeat in the fight against oesophageal cancer and escapes a long spell of pain. We knew this day would come, but even still nothing will make this moment easier.

My Dad Steve Ball formed a fantastic legacy: He married Helen, a beautiful woman from Sheffield just over 30 years ago. Together in Hull, they raised 2 children: an Oxford elect and me (I aren't the smart one of the family.) before he put his career ambitions secondary to my Mum's and thus in 2009 we moved to Shrewsbury.

Together my parents set about giving us the platforms for both of us to succeed in life, supporting us through university and being a shoulder to cry on or a source of advice for the trials and tribulations we have encountered in the form of life. For years I used to compare myself to others, not really caring that it served no help or purpose at all. It actually made things worse for me. I had obviously not been listening to Bazz Luhrman's Sunscreen, a song my Dad in these final days asked me to listen and learn from. Now I know my path is my own and not comparable to anyone else’s and it gives me some balance.

I have done a lot with my father: we have supported Sheffield Wednesday for many years. It was our way of spending quality time together whilst I was at University which culminated in promotion in 2012 and seeing the boys at Wembley this year. At poker we are almost attached at the hip and perhaps in a way that will make these final moments the hardest, but let me tell you that not one of these 26 years I wouldn't take back. For Life is about the dash between the date you are born and the date you die which is on your tomb stone. The time we have is irrelevant: 56 great years (and 1 crappy one with the C) is better than 75 mediocre ones. We have had many great times: Florida 3 times, several trips to Turkey, watching Sheffield Wednesday through rain or shine. Some of our best family moments have been in the UK: Hawkstone Park Follies, York, walks in Wales.

My Dad has been an inspiration to me, to Henri and our family throughout our lives. This year especially, the way he has gone about his illness in a dignified way, not complaining about the hand he was dealt but lived the way he did was an absolute credit. His contribution to this earth has now ended, but his legacy will live on. At the end of last year during my darkest days, I formed MaxAndTheMac12 which helped me to understand this cruel illness which over these last few months has took more or less everything away from my Dad and through hard times me, my family and my friends did great things this year. We raised £12,500 for Macmillan Cancer Support

Moving into Christmas and 2017, we have to understand a life without my Dad. His pain and anguish seeing our faces react to it has ended, but our journey goes on and many others will be reeling from the loss of a highly intelligent, kind and caring man who has touched so many lives.

RIP Dad / Steve Ball / Ice_tiger. xxx
In your memory – Me and #TeamBall will take the torch and lead the legacy."

I never met MS, I only knew him as a poster on the forums we have all been on for the past few years but I, like many others on here have been saddened, touched and somewhat inspired by his fight against this awful disease. My thoughts are with his family and friends at this time and I hope Young Padawan is ok with me posting his elegant and moving words on here!!

RIP Steve.

[South Wales Owl]

I again never knew Steve , only as a poster , a very good one at that, I usually look at Steve's results first as he is so accurate and only wish I had put a bet on all his predictions. I will dedicate this coming season , the league being called Madsteve Prediction League.
I am quite down at this news as Steve is a reigning champion and not for the first time. Its true what they say , God always takes the good ones first. RIP Steve