'It's no exaggeration' - Hull City fan credits ex-Tigers boss Brian Horton for lifesaving team talk
Hull City fan salutes former Tigers manager for lifesaving team talk
A Hull City fan has credited former Tigers manager Brian Horton for saving his life.
Horton, who led Hull between 1984 and 1988 after ending his playing career with the club, was diagnosed with prostate cancer in May 2023.
He later spoke about his diagnosis on regional radio in October of the same year and among the listeners was 78-year-old Hull fan Bob Webster from Pickering.
Bob was inspired to speak to his GP and got a diagnosis himself, enabling him to get life-extending treatment.
Inspired by Brian Horton
He said: “It's no exaggeration to say if I had not heard Brian on the day at half time, I would not have seen my GP, which in turn led to my cancer being diagnosed, and that has given me a better chance of surviving for more years than if this had not been diagnosed.”
Horton had been inspired to speak publicly about his diagnosis by ex-Rotherham United manager Mick Harford, who was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2021.
The former Tigers boss said: “I saw Mick Harford at a Brighton versus Luton game, and Mick asked me if I was going to talk publicly about it.
“I’d been discussing it with people, with my wife and family and it was Mick who made me realise that it was very, very important. If it helps other men at risk of prostate cancer seek advice from their GP, then I think it’s worthwhile doing it.
“I’m so glad I listened to Mick. It’s been great to talk about my story in the past few years, and I’m thrilled to hear its helped people as well. That was always my aim throughout this, and I’ll continue to spread the word the best I can.”
Looking ahead after “lifesaving team talk’
Bob will be paying close attention to developments at Wembley this afternoon, with his beloved Hull set to battle Middlesbrough in the Championship play-off final.
Harford said: “Hearing about Bob was incredible. I’m so happy he was listening to me that day and it’s wonderful he can continue to watch Hull City, and dream of a Premier League return.”
Prostate Cancer UK’s fundraising and health strategy director Chiara De Biase added: “We're so grateful to Bob for sharing his remarkable story, and its wonderful he’ll be able to experience Hull’s play-off final thanks to Brian’s lifesaving team talk.
“By sharing their stories, high profile football figures affected by prostate cancer like Brian, Mick and Chris Hughton help us spread the message and galvanise the football community.
“We also couldn't do this crucial work without our long-term partners the League Managers Association. One in eight men will get prostate cancer, and your risk doubles if you’re black, but it can be curable if found early.”
Donate to fund vital awareness raising campaigns and life-changing research that will give every man the power to navigate prostate cancer at every step: http://prostatecanceruk.org/every-step-pr