Archived News from December 2004
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MCNIVEN WILL KEEP UP HIS CANCER FIGHT
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MCNIVEN WILL KEEP UP HIS CANCER FIGHT
Evening Post, 28 December 2004 Scott McNiven is hoping he will hear the words "all clear" in February. Scott McNiven tells MARK ROACH what he's hoping for The Mansfield Town defender was diagnosed with testicular cancer last month. He has just finished a course of radiotherapy at Northampton General Hospital, five minutes from his home. And he will find out on February 11 if the treatment has been successful. "I've been having radiotherapy every day, apart from Saturdays and Sundays," said the 26-year-old. "I've been coping quite well but it has tired me out. It drains you. "I'm coming to terms with what has happened, but I'm missing playing. I'm just taking things day by day. "I've had a lot of support from fans of Mansfield and Oxford and Oldham, where I used to play. "And I've had about 20 cards from Notts County fans, which was lovely. I want to thank everyone who has sent me cards. "I've just been getting into a routine. I've been going for radiotherapy then taking the dog for a walk, then waiting for my girlfriend to get home and make me dinner. "There's nothing else I can do. It's depressing in a way but I've just got to get on with it. I'm grateful it isn't worse than it is. "I've been told it will wipe me out for five weeks and that I will need to let my body recover. Then I can start training again. "I go back on February 11 for scans to make sure it's killed it all, and I'm hoping I will get the all clear. "Hopefully I will be back playing soon after." McNiven is grateful for the medical advancements which have helped him deal with the disease. "People died from this 50 years ago. It's unbelievable how far the developments have come along," he said. The right-back added that a phone call from Nottingham Forest's new signing Neil Harris, who has recovered from the disease, has helped him come to terms with the experience. And he says he might follow in the player's footsteps and get involved in a cancer support group. "I've spoken to Neil and he told me about his foundation," he said. "It was very helpful speaking to him. I might talk to him again and do something along the same lines." Harris launched the Neil Harris Everyman Appeal, set up in conjunction with the Institute of Cancer Research, to raise money for medical studies into the alarming increase in the problem over the last few years. Harris said: "I want to help stop people going through what my family went through." ------------ TATE'S SWEDISH MOVE Evening Post, 28 December 2004 Former Mansfield Town striker Chris Tate is poised to sign for a Swedish Division Two club in the new year. Tate, who joined the Stags on a three-month deal at the start of the season, was released after an injury-plagued spell at Field Mill. "John Gannon helped me make contact with a Division Two team there," said Tate, who has a Swedish girlfriend. "But I can't remember the name of the team!" Tate is hopeful he will be fit to join his new club for pre-season in February. His last appearance for Mansfield was in the 4-0 defeat against Preston in the Carling Cup. He came on as a substitute but was replaced a few minutes later after he landed awkwardly and damaged knee ligaments. |
Latest | December 2004