Ben Cull dead: Ex-England youth star dies aged 23 following battle with cancer weeks after proposal to girlfriend
EX-ENGLAND youth star Ben Cull has died aged 23 following a long battle with cancer.
The former Southampton academy player began battling Ewing’s sarcoma at the tender age of 17.
His condition worsened in recent months, prompting him to propose to his long-time girlfriend Daisy Morrison.
But he’s tragically lost his battle with the rare bone and soft-tissue disease just weeks after proposing to the love of his life in hospital.
A heartbroken Daisy announced Cull’s passing in a brave and emotional Instagram post, writing: “The hardest goodbye.
“Yesterday I lost my whole life, my fiance, my soulmate, my person, my entire world. I always hoped and prayed this day would never, ever come.
“True heartbreak is real, my heart physically hurts and I’ve never felt pain like this.
“My mum and dad couldn’t of picked a better soulmate for me, they adored you, they think of you as a son and are hurting so bad right now.
“They say you go for someone like your father and god you were like dad, two peas in a pod, the best of friends, couldn’t of wished for a stronger bromance.
“You fought until the very end my darling, I know you did absolutely everything you could to stay and despite suffering so bad you kept going, that I will be forever grateful for, you never gave up, god just had his own plans.
“One thing I can say for sure is that we made the most of every single second.
“You and I both said we’d rather of met our soulmate and had less time, than lived a whole lifetime without each other.
“You were the reason I smiled every day, my reason to wake up, you were the first person I’d turn to with a problem.
“The person I felt safe next to every night, the person who made a whole room laugh, you were my reason for it all, you gave me a purpose.
“The only person I want to speak to right now is you and I can’t do that which breaks me.
“You’ve told me so many times to be brave for you and never give up and I promise I am going to try.
“I already miss you so much and will do every single second of every day my darling bow, the cuddles, the kisses, the laughs, messages and everything.
“My heart will never, ever heal from this hole you’ve left.
“To let you go will always be the toughest thing I’ll ever have to do.
“Good night baby, I will see you up there one day, we will be reunited again my darling and finish out story as it isn’t over yet.”
Morrison received a slew of condolences from her followers, one of whom commented: “What a human, what a boy. Gunna be hugely missed.”
Another said: “I’m so sorry Daisy it was a privilege to have known such an inspirational courageous young man life is so tough thinking of you In these sad times.”
And another said: “So so sorry for your loss, thinking of you.”
One chimed in: “Heartbroken to say the least. Proud to have been able to call you both best friends!
“His memory will always live on and we’ll make sure that we continue his journey of helping others.”
Cull began his footie career in Southampton’s academy and became part of their Under 18s squad in the summer of 2015.
He also earned two caps for England‘s Youth team.
His cancer battle, however, sadly cut short what seemed to be a promising career in 2018.