John Hartson Has Cancer

**~~Treffie~~** · 07-15-2009, 11:50 AM

Even though I'm not a football supporter, this guy is seen as a local hero. The outlook doesn't look good.

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Former Wales, Arsenal and Celtic striker John Hartson is in a critical condition after emergency neurosurgery on his brain.

On the weekend 34-year-old Hartson was diagnosed with testicular cancer which had already spread.

On Wednesday, doctors confirmed it was also present in his lungs.

The father-of-three had undergone surgery at Morriston Hospital in Swansea, after being transferred from the city's Singleton Hospital.

A hospital statement read: "He is currently being cared for by the critical care team at Morriston and is receiving round-the-clock care aiming to stabilise his condition.

We have been overwhelmed by the support and goodwill from many thousands of football fans, players, clubs and sporting figures and we have drawn strength from this support

After being diagnosed with cancer on Sunday, Hartson was admitted to Singleton Hospital where further tests were carried out.

Since retiring from a glittering career in football in February 2008, the striker has since worked as a television pundit.

Relatives issued a statement on Wednesday saying that all close family and friends "are continuing to support John in any way we can".

"He is receiving outstanding care from all the medical and surgical staff and we would like to thank everyone at both Singleton and Morriston, as well as the excellent ambulance staff," it went on.

John Hartson has been working as a football pundit since retiring last year
"We have been overwhelmed by the support and goodwill from many thousands of football fans, players, clubs and sporting figures and we have drawn strength from this support."

The family also requested that the star's privacy, and that of his family, is respected as he continues his hospital treatment.

Officials at Arsenal have said the club is "deeply saddened" by news of his cancer.

The former centre forward joined Arsenal as a teenager from Luton in January 1995 and, in two seasons at Highbury, made 62 appearances, scoring 16 goals.

The player left Arsenal for West Ham United in February 1997 and continued his career with the Hammers, Wimbledon, Coventry City, Celtic, West Bromwich Albion and Norwich City.

"Everyone at Arsenal Football Club would like to take this opportunity to wish John, together with his family and friends, all the very best in the challenging times that lie ahead. Our thoughts are with you," the statement added.

During his international career, he scored 14 goals before stepping down in February 2006 to concentrate on his club football.

Hartson made his Wales debut in March 1995 in an away match against Bulgaria, often leading the line as a lone striker, until his last game in November 2005 against Cyprus.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/8151728.stm

**~~Beorn~~** · 07-15-2009, 11:54 AM

I never liked him as a player or a person, but it's never nice to see such a person who is elevated to God status succumb to such a disease.

Good luck to him.

**~~Treffie~~** · 07-15-2009, 12:07 PM

Originally Posted by Wat Tyler

I never liked him as a player or a person,

Same here, he's certainly a cocksure kind of person. A close member of my family works in the Oncology Dept at the local hospital where he is being treated witnessed the `Big Man` reduced to tears.

**~~Beorn~~** · 07-20-2009, 01:46 PM

Baby on the way for critically-ill Hartson

Published Date: 20 July 2009

By SUSAN SMITH

FORMER Celtic star John Hartson, who is currently battling cancer, is to become a father again, it has been revealed.
The girlfriend of the 34-year-old former Celtic striker – who is critically ill in hospital after testicular cancer spread to his brain and lungs – is said to be four months pregnant with the couple's second child.

Sarah McManus, 37, from Inverness, last year gave birth to their daughter Lena. She has been at Mr Hartson's bedside since his diagnosis around ten days ago.

**~~Svarog~~** · 07-23-2009, 08:42 AM

I've been Glasgow Rangers fan so I have never been fan of Hartson and was kind of annoying, well, I bet he still is, don't deserve to die tho, good luck indeed.