Football club leads tributes to young dad-of-two who 'was the life and soul of every dressing room'

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Heartbreaking tributes have poured in for a talented footballer and a young dad-of-two from Co Dublin who died earlier this week.

Steven 'Miggy' Middleton, from Ringsend, sadly passed away on Wednesday (August 13) surrounded by his family.

A death notice shared by Steven's family on RIP.ie states that he will be "forever loved by his two girls Pearl and Lilly, his heartbroken parents Gaye and Dennis, sister Sinead, brother Craig, partner Chloe, Sinead’s partner Paul, Craig’s partner Teegan, his cherished nieces Lucy, Isla, Hannah and Fia, aunts, uncles, cousins, the extended family and a large circle of friends."

His funeral arrangements will be announced at a later date.

Steven was an exceptionally talent footballer who lined out for Transplant Team Ireland, which aims to provide recipients who have received an organ transplant, Stem-Cell or Bone Marrow transplant, the opportunity to play football for Ireland internationally and show the power of organ donation and the positive impact it can have on the receipitants life.

The young Dublin native made a huge impact not only on his own teammates, but also other players he encountered while lining out for the Ireland transplant team.

In a moving tribute, the Wales Transplant Team paid an emotional tribute to Steven in a message shared online.

"We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of our transplant brother, Steven Middleton, from Transplant Football Ireland," they said.

"Our thoughts and deepest sympathy are with Steven’s family and all our transplant brothers in Ireland at this incredibly difficult time.

"Steven will be remembered not only for his skill and determination but for the way he inspired others through his strength and character."

The Wales team captain, James Murphy, added: "Steve was a great guy, a true gentleman and transplant warrior. He became a good friend to myself and all at Team Wales.

"On the pitch he was as tough as they come. It was never easy playing against him. He was fit, strong, athletic, hard in the tackle and intelligent. He displayed what was physically possible after transplantation.

"We will hold onto the memories we shared both on and off the field. Our thoughts go out to Steve’s family and our brothers at Transplant Football Ireland. RIP Miggy".

Steven was also a member of his local side Montpelier FC, with his teammate and friend, Alan Lynch, paying a touching tribute to the young dad-of-two in a message shared on the club's Facebook page.

"Today, on 13/08/2025, Montpelier FC lost a teammate and a friend. Our number 2, our right back, a dead ball specialist, a captain, and our only serving Irish International," Lynch wrote.

"Steven Middleton, aka 'Miggy' joined us in 2020, winning multiple honours for both Sunday and Saturday teams. He was the life and soul of every dressing room. He was part of us all and earned the love and respect of all his teammates.

"A father to the loves of his life Pearl & Lilly, son to Gaye and Dennis, brother to Craig and Sinead, and partner to his beloved Chloe.

"Montpelier FC will never be the same. We will never forget him and will miss him dearly. RIP Miggy, a true Warrior."

(Image: Montpelier FC / Facebook)

Steven was also a former member of Liffey Wanderers FC, with the club hailing him as "a splendid footballer with a wand of a right foot and more importantly he was a great person who's life was taken at a very young age."

Ringsend based amateur football club St Patrick's CYFC were also among those to pay tribute to talented young athlete, with the club writing in a post on Facebook: "It's a sad day in Ringsend as we all mourn the loss of Steven Middleton, a lovely, unassuming lad who fought valiantly over the past few months.

"All at St Patrick's CYFC would like to pass on our deepest, heartfelt condolences to Dennis, Gaye, Sinead and Craig, his partner Chloe and children Pearl and Lilly, all the extended family and friends, in particular his cousin Emma a member of our committee who has been by his bedside with all the family over the past few very difficult weeks.

"Steven loved his football, he played with CY for a couple of seasons and coached our U19's in 2020/21, we extend our condolences to fellow Leinster Senior League club Montpelier FC where he played his football in recent years.

"Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam."

As well as being a gifted footballer, Steven was a talented rower who was a member of Stella Maris Rowing Club in Ringsend.

Paying tribute to the young dad-of-two, the club said: "We were deeply saddened here at the Stella Maris by the loss of Steven Middleton.

''Steven was a gifted oarsman and in his last season of rowing he was unbeatable.

"Our thoughts are with Gaye, Dennis, Sinead and Craig his partner Chloe and daughters Pearl and Lilly along with all Stephen’s friends and family. Ar dheis de go raibh a anam."

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