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Hartson treated for brain cancer Hartson treated for brain cancer
(about 1 hour later)
Former Wales, Arsenal and Celtic striker John Hartson has testicular cancer which has spread to his brain, it has been confirmed.Former Wales, Arsenal and Celtic striker John Hartson has testicular cancer which has spread to his brain, it has been confirmed.
The 34-year-old, who was capped by his country 51 times and retired last year, was diagnosed on Sunday at hospital in his home city of Swansea.The 34-year-old, who was capped by his country 51 times and retired last year, was diagnosed on Sunday at hospital in his home city of Swansea.
Hartson was capped 51 times for Wales and played for five years for Celtic.Hartson was capped 51 times for Wales and played for five years for Celtic.
His consultant said further test results would "establish a full picture" of his diagnosis.His consultant said further test results would "establish a full picture" of his diagnosis.
The hospital said he would start a course of radiotherapy and chemotherapy which would last "for many months".The hospital said he would start a course of radiotherapy and chemotherapy which would last "for many months".
Dr Gianfilippo Bertelli, consultant medical oncologist for Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University NHS Trust, said: "Mr Hartson attended Singleton Hospital on Friday displaying symptoms consistent with testicular cancer.Dr Gianfilippo Bertelli, consultant medical oncologist for Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University NHS Trust, said: "Mr Hartson attended Singleton Hospital on Friday displaying symptoms consistent with testicular cancer.
"A number of clinical tests were put in place and these have confirmed the presence of testicular cancer. Unfortunately, it has also been confirmed that this cancer has spread to Mr Hartson's brain."A number of clinical tests were put in place and these have confirmed the presence of testicular cancer. Unfortunately, it has also been confirmed that this cancer has spread to Mr Hartson's brain.
"We are awaiting the results of further tests to establish a full picture of Mr Hartson's diagnosis."We are awaiting the results of further tests to establish a full picture of Mr Hartson's diagnosis.
"We will be commencing a course of radiotherapy and chemotherapy as soon as possible and foresee many months of treatment."We will be commencing a course of radiotherapy and chemotherapy as soon as possible and foresee many months of treatment.
It is very difficult for us to understand what John is going through at the moment, but we will offer any support we can to a great Celtic player Celtic statementIt is very difficult for us to understand what John is going through at the moment, but we will offer any support we can to a great Celtic player Celtic statement
"We realise that Mr Hartson is a much-loved figure and there are many fans and well-wishers who will be keen to hear news of his progress."We realise that Mr Hartson is a much-loved figure and there are many fans and well-wishers who will be keen to hear news of his progress.
"However, while treatment is ongoing we would ask that the privacy of Mr Hartson, and all the patients who attend our hospital, is respected.""However, while treatment is ongoing we would ask that the privacy of Mr Hartson, and all the patients who attend our hospital, is respected."
Hartson's other former clubs included West Ham, Wimbledon, Coventry City, West Brom, Norwich and Luton Town.Hartson's other former clubs included West Ham, Wimbledon, Coventry City, West Brom, Norwich and Luton Town.
His family released a statement saying: "All the family, and John's friends, are doing all we can to support him and praying that he will make a full recovery.His family released a statement saying: "All the family, and John's friends, are doing all we can to support him and praying that he will make a full recovery.
"John is getting excellent care from the oncologists at the hospital as he begins his treatment."John is getting excellent care from the oncologists at the hospital as he begins his treatment.
"John is a family man and we appreciate all the messages of support we have already received.""John is a family man and we appreciate all the messages of support we have already received."
'Well-liked''Well-liked'
His former club Celtic issued a statement of support.His former club Celtic issued a statement of support.
"Clearly, everyone at the club fully supports John and his family at this extremely difficult time."Clearly, everyone at the club fully supports John and his family at this extremely difficult time.
"It is very difficult for us to understand what John is going through at the moment, but we will offer any support we can to a great Celtic player.""It is very difficult for us to understand what John is going through at the moment, but we will offer any support we can to a great Celtic player."
He's a strong man, pretty strong willed as well so that will help him Andy Legg, ex-footballerHe's a strong man, pretty strong willed as well so that will help him Andy Legg, ex-footballer
Peter Rafferty, president of the Affiliation of Celtic Supporters' Clubs said: "He was one of our major heroes and really well-liked and appreciated by the fans. He always gave 100%.Peter Rafferty, president of the Affiliation of Celtic Supporters' Clubs said: "He was one of our major heroes and really well-liked and appreciated by the fans. He always gave 100%.
"It's so sad that something like this could happen to someone so young. He is still a very young man and has a young family."It's so sad that something like this could happen to someone so young. He is still a very young man and has a young family.
"It's a real tragedy and we just wish him well with his treatment.""It's a real tragedy and we just wish him well with his treatment."
Former Wales team-mate Andy Legg, who himself battled cancer, said he was "gobsmacked" by Hartson's diagnosis.Former Wales team-mate Andy Legg, who himself battled cancer, said he was "gobsmacked" by Hartson's diagnosis.
"I was lost for words and didn't know what to say," he told BBC Radio Wales."I was lost for words and didn't know what to say," he told BBC Radio Wales.
"I'm hopefully going down to see John tomorrow. If I can be of any help in any way I'm here for him and my thoughts and best wishes go out to his family as well.""I'm hopefully going down to see John tomorrow. If I can be of any help in any way I'm here for him and my thoughts and best wishes go out to his family as well."
Legg, who played for Cardiff City and Swansea and now manages Llanelli, said he believed Hartson would be in a good position to fight the cancer, being fit and having only recently retired from football.Legg, who played for Cardiff City and Swansea and now manages Llanelli, said he believed Hartson would be in a good position to fight the cancer, being fit and having only recently retired from football.
"He's a strong man, pretty strong willed as well so that will help him," he added."He's a strong man, pretty strong willed as well so that will help him," he added.
Striker John Hartson spoke to BBC Wales when he retired last year This 2008 footage shows footballer John Hartson speaking about his retirement
Hartson was signed by then Celtic manager Martin O'Neill in 2001 for £6m and spent five years at Parkhead, scoring 89 goals.Hartson was signed by then Celtic manager Martin O'Neill in 2001 for £6m and spent five years at Parkhead, scoring 89 goals.
He was voted player of the year by his fellow professionals and the Scottish Football Writers Association.He was voted player of the year by his fellow professionals and the Scottish Football Writers Association.
During his international career, he scored 14 goals before stepping down in February 2006 to concentrate on his club football.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.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.
He began his senior career at Luton in 1992 as a 17-year-old and the player's bustling style soon caught the eye of bigger clubs.He began his senior career at Luton in 1992 as a 17-year-old and the player's bustling style soon caught the eye of bigger clubs.
Arsenal paid £2.5m for Hartson in January 1995.Arsenal paid £2.5m for Hartson in January 1995.
A £3.3m move to their London rivals West Ham followed two years later, although that stay was marred by an altercation with team-mate Eyal Berkovic.A £3.3m move to their London rivals West Ham followed two years later, although that stay was marred by an altercation with team-mate Eyal Berkovic.
In 1999 Wimbledon paid £7.5m for Hartson, while spells at Coventry, Celtic, West Bromwich Albion and Norwich - on loan - followed before he announced his retirement as a player in February 2008.In 1999 Wimbledon paid £7.5m for Hartson, while spells at Coventry, Celtic, West Bromwich Albion and Norwich - on loan - followed before he announced his retirement as a player in February 2008.
When the 6ft 1in target man retired he said his biggest regret was not having played for his beloved Swansea City, the local club he had supported since a boy.When the 6ft 1in target man retired he said his biggest regret was not having played for his beloved Swansea City, the local club he had supported since a boy.
Since his retirement as a player, Hartson has proved himself an articulate and knowledgeable football commentator for media outlets, including the BBC.Since his retirement as a player, Hartson has proved himself an articulate and knowledgeable football commentator for media outlets, including the BBC.
Hartson seemed destined to move into football management and has been linked with vacant posts at the likes of Falkirk, Swansea and East Stirlingshire.Hartson seemed destined to move into football management and has been linked with vacant posts at the likes of Falkirk, Swansea and East Stirlingshire.