Nick Anderton: Bristol Rovers player diagnosed with rare bone cancer

Bristol Rovers defender Nick Anderton has revealed he has been diagnosed with Osteosarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer.

The 26-year-old has been with the Gas since joining in the summer of 2021, helping the club to promotion from League Two as a key member of the promotion winning squad.

The NHS website describes osteosarcoma as the most common type of bone cancer, which mostly affects children and young adults under 20.

He has thanked the medical staff at Rovers for their support, along with the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital and his family following his diagnosis.

The club themselves have also offered him support whilst calling for privacy at this moment in time as he recovers.

Anderton said: "Unfortunately, this rare form of cancer which is affecting my femur means that I’ll be undergoing an operation in the coming weeks.

"This diagnosis has come as a huge shock to both myself and my family; however, we are remaining positive and hopeful.”

"I want to thank everyone at Bristol Rovers, especially Club Doctor Ian Ferguson and Head of Medical Stuart Leake, the specialists at the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital in Birmingham and my family for their continued support.

“I want to wish the boys all the best for the upcoming season, starting this Saturday back at The Mem. Hopefully I can be swinging off another traffic light on Gloucester Road come May!”

CEO Tom Gorringe added: “Everyone at Bristol Rovers shares our sympathies for Nick at this difficult time and we will do everything possible to help support Nick and his family during his recovery.

“I am sure everyone will want to show their support for Nick, which will help him immensely as he recovers. I would also ask that everyone shows respect for his and his family’s privacy during this time.”