To mark World Cancer Day 2024, AFC Fylde Assistant Head Coach Nick Anderton has shared his inspirational and moving story.

World Cancer Day is on Sunday 4th February, an annual day of action that supports people who have been affected by cancer as well as promoting research, raising worldwide awareness, and improving patient services.

Formed in 2000, World Cancer Day is led by Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) and has become a positive movement for everyone, everywhere to unite against cancer together.

AFC Fylde and AFC Fylde Community Foundation are proud to support World Cancer Day, with this year’s theme being ‘Together, we challenge those in power.’

And to highlight the awareness day, Nick, who recently joined Chris Beech’s backroom staff, spoke movingly to the Coasters’ first-team and academy scholars about his journey in an invaluable talk.

Nick was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer, in July 2022 during his time playing for Bristol Rovers and required 28-weeks of chemotherapy as well as an operation on his knee before being given the all-clear in September last year.

Anderton said: “It’s been a bit of a long journey, and it’s been uneasy for me mentally probably more than anything about the future with a young family, but it puts a lot of things into perspective.

“I played in the Evo-Stick and I’ve played up to League One up and down over the years, and football can be over in the click of a finger. You only get one chance at a career, but some things are more important.

“Thankfully, I had a brilliant career and don’t have any regrets in terms of how much effort I put into things.

“The other side of the game, how things affect you, it can be tough to deal with in terms of the pressures, but going into a hospital and getting told you have cancer, that’s pressure and it puts everything into perspective.

“Going home to two children and my Mrs, it was tough, it’s been hard but I’m here, and if anyone can take anything from my story, it’s just enjoying coming to work, enjoying playing football and working hard and improving every day.”

To find out more about World Cancer Day, please CLICK HERE