BRISTOL ROVERS defender Nick Anderton has been forced to retire at the age of 26 amid his battle with cancer.
The ex-Preston, Blackpool and Carlisle man took to social media on Friday to confirm the news in an emotional post.
It comes four months into his chemotherapy treatment for a rare form of bone cancer, osteosarcoma.
He has been forced to hang up his boots due to an operation on his femur which required a “complete knee replacement”.
Speaking the day before his 27th birthday, he said: “I’ve had six months to prepare some words for this moment and I still don’t know what to say.
“It’s been extremely difficult to come to terms with but I’ve decided today is the day to announce at the age of 26 I have to retire from professional football.
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“This is due to an operation I had in October 2022 to remove a cancerous tumour from my right femur. This resulted in a complete knee replacement, and a further 12cm of my femur replaced.
“There was optimism that I could return to playing after the initial planned operation/treatment but a scan five days prior revealed it would not be safe if they didn’t replace the full joint, therefore the operation changed.
“Looking back on the last 10 years, I have nothing but fond memories.
“To every club I’ve represented, thank you for the opportunity. To every manager and coach I’ve worked under, thank you for the time you’ve invested in me. To every player I’ve shared a dressing room with and every player I’ve competed against on the pitch, thank you. It’s been an absolute pleasure.
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“I want to say a massive thank you to every single person who sent messages, donated and said a prayer. Your kind words and support for my family throughout this journey has been incredible and we can’t thank you enough.
“It’s given me even more motivation to continue fighting and to complete every single millilitre of chemotherapy that I need.
“Thank you, Nick.”
Anderton was diagnosed with the illness back in July after undergoing a scan on what he believed to be a leg injury.
He made 245 senior appearances during his nine-year professional career.
Last season, he played a crucial role in helping Bristol Rovers secure promotion to League One on the final day of the season.
They did so in the most incredible fashion, beating Scunthorpe 7-0 to go up on goals scored.
His No16 jersey is hung up in the Rovers dressing room before every match.
And the club’s fans have been giving a round of applause in the 16th minute of their games.
The Rovers squad shaved their heads in solidarity with Anderton in January.
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A fundraiser has also been set up for him which has raised £46,000 to date.
And Rovers manager Joey Barton completed the Manchester Marathon last weekend following a promise he made to Anderton.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
