BRAVE GUY ON TOP IN FIGHT OF HIS LIFE

ACE'S ALL-CLEAR IN CANCER RATTLE

- Andy Mitchell

GUY Hadland’s CV meant he never had to trial that much but he has just flown through the biggest test of his life.

The effervescent centre-half was one of the big characters behind Nuneaton Borough – then named Town – fighting back up through the levels on top of title triumphs at Hinckley United and Brackley Town.

He took that spirit into management at Barwell and his role as assistant at Hednesford Town when all looked lost last season.

Mission Impossible? Perhaps, but that was nothing compared with what was to come, a personal fight that would need every ounce of his courage.

It never crossed Hadland’s mind that an unshakable cough and an unexplained skin condition were linked when wife Vicky ordered him to visit a doctor.

Tests, misdiagnoses and all clears came and went until the answer hit Hadland like a train in March – stage four Hodgkin lymphoma.

The NHS describes it as an “uncommon” cancer of the vessels and glands related to the lymphatic system, a key part of the immune system.

The call came days after being sent for an MRI scan out of the blue having previously been told there was nothing to worry about.

“I was at home and the doctor called to say I needed to go in,” recalled Hadland.

“I just knew from the tone of the call that something was up. I said I needed to know there and then and he told me.

“I was on my own and didn’t know what to do with myself. I went into the garden, paced up and down a dozen times and then built up the courage to ring my wife.