Bristol Rovers footballer announces retirement at 26
Nick Anderton has been battling a rare form of bone cancer since last summer
Bristol Rovers footballer Nick Anderton has announced his retirement from the sport, at the age of just 26.
He has shared the news today (21 April) in an emotional post on social media, saying it has been an "extremely difficult" decision to come to terms with.
The defender was diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer in July 2022 and has had major surgery as well as chemotherapy since.
"I've had six months to prepare some words for this moment and I still don't know what to say," he wrote.
"It's been extremely difficult to come to terms with, but I've decided today is the day to announce that at the age of 26 I have to retire from professional football."
Nick had an operation to combat his cancer in October last year during which a tumour was removed from his right femur.
He also had to have a complete knee replacement and 12cm of his 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," he said.
He says he has "nothing but fond memories" from his 10 years as a player.
"To every club I've represented, thank you for the opportunity," he said.
"To every manager and coach I've worked under, thank you for the times you 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."
Since Nick's diagnosis became public the football community has rallied around him in support.
In January the entire Bristol Rovers squad and management team had their heads shaved to raise money for his family.
The club aimed to raise £1,600 in a reference to his number 16 shirt, but at time of writing the gofundme page has amassed more than £46,000 with donations still being made.
Other clubs also got involved, with Premier League Liverpool donating a signed Anderton 16 Liverpool shirt and sharing a photo of their entire squad and manager Jurgen Klopp posing with it.
During his career Nick also played for Barrow, Blackpool, Accrington Stanley and Carlisle United among others.