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Luton’s Mick Harford gives update on battling with cancer in interview

Luton’s assistant manager Mick Harford gives an update on battling with cancer after he was diagnosed with it back in December 2020.

There is some positive news in that he will return to the dugout for Sunday’s FA Cup tie against Harrogate following prostate cancer treatment.

The 62-year-old has had a course of radiotherapy and is just pleased to be able to go back to the Championship club he loves, in what will be a helpful distraction.

“I’m just pleased to back in full-time,” he told the club website.

He will be joined alongside manager Nathan Jones by former Hatters captain Alan Sheehan, who has been appointed as first-team coach.

Harford played over 200 times across two spells for Luton during his playing days, including the 1988 League Cup final win over Arsenal. He also managed the team in 2008-09 and had two subsequent periods as caretaker boss.

Staff at Luton raised more than £27,000 to help towards the cost of his cancer treatment and he has now been given the all-clear to resume his day-to-day role.

“I still have to carry on with my appointments at the hospital, but it’s great to come back into such a positive, bubbly environment. It makes me feel a lot better, and I feel really positive about moving forward,” he said.

“Sunday is the third round of the FA Cup, which is big in my heart, so obviously I’m looking forward to the challenge as we move into a busy second half of the season. It takes your mind off things and you can get stuck into your work here. I can just be focused on the football.

“The support I’ve had from supporters, the club, the board, the management, staff and players has been unbelievable, and really helped me through. I can’t thank them enough.”

Jones said everyone was delighted to have Harford back at the club and that he had made an “instant impact” in training this week.

“He is a massive part of the culture and the environment here. Mick and I always spoke about his return, when it would be and it had to be when he felt right,” said Jones.

“Having done a few days and kept his hand in, he’s just felt really comfortable and he really feels that now is the right time.”

In 2021, Mick gave an extra special message, sharing his experience on battling cancer and highlighted others to check themselves.

“What I want is to raise awareness and encourage other men to go and get themselves checked out. That’s what I did and it’s not something that we are good at, us middle-aged and older men.

“We don’t like to talk about illness or go to the doctor, because we think we might be wasting their time, especially in the current climate with Covid. It is so vital not to think like that. The early symptoms of prostate cancer aren’t always noticeable, which is why it is so important to go to your GP and get checked out.

“I know a few people at the football club who have gone and done so since I was first diagnosed, and if our wonderful supporters can do one thing for me, it is to do exactly that, because early diagnosis is so crucial.

“I’ve been on hormone medication treatment for several months, but I now need to have a course of radiotherapy, at UCLH in London, where my oncology team have been brilliant with me. I’m really happy with the treatment I’m receiving, albeit it’s going to be a long journey which means I won’t be around on a daily basis at the training ground, which as everyone knows, is what I love doing.

“What’s essential to me is that the focus of the club should be on the new season, which we’re on the cusp of.

“I want to thank everyone at the football club for their support. Gary and the board, Nathan, the staff and all the players have been so helpful to me over the past few months. Please continue to give them your wholehearted support. I will be on hand to help them and the players in whatever way I can, whilst also raising awareness about prostate cancer, to help others.”

Prostate Cancer Risk Factors & Symptoms | PSA Test | Check4Cancer

Fans reacted as Luton’s Mick Harford gives an update on battling with cancer in an interview while Sheehan returns…

@JasonLTFC: First Nathan’s contract extension and now the return of Big Mick and as for Sheez. Wow!! Has a special place in our hearts for the impact he made during his playing career and believe the majority have had their wishes come true with him returning

@LtfcP: Wow, the reception these two are going to get on Sunday will be unreal, strengthen in a few areas and bang feel good factor is in full throttle at our great club, COYH

@BuddhistMatt: Big @Mickharford back, fantastic news. @sheezdogg on the staff. @almc16 at the academy. It’s all coming together very very nicely. COYH !!!!!

@jane738: Delighted to see Mick back at work. Really pleased that Alan Sheehan has joined the coaching staff. He was a wonderful club captain and I wish him well in his new role.

@MikeJFanning: This is great news on so many levels

@siepod: Great to see Big Mick @Mickharford will be back in the dug-out this weekend for the #FACup. A real reminder that doesn’t matter how tough you are, cancer will still root you out 😢 Glad to see he’s smashing it (like most other things) though 🥊💪

@MISTERPDW: Two pieces of very good news, particularly about Mick Harford.

@ltfcdan: Oh my top tier tweet

@Georgrundo: Luton go from strength to strength.

@LTFC_Dave: Well fuck me this is sensational content to start the weekend 😍

@HamdonMart: I’ve been lucky to meet Mick a few times, most recently last Wednesday night. An absolute giant of a man, really chuffed that he’s fit, healthy and returning to football. Good luck!

@ltfckieren: EVEN BETTER FUCK ME YES

@DjGabyG: If you were dubious about buying a ticket, this should remove any doubt! 👏👏👏👏👏👏

@shepltfc:
GET IN 2022, you beauty
Welcome back Sir @Mickharford

@1_2_fuckingjump: this makes me so so happy

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