John Hartson: Get well soon
News today that makes you realise there’s more to life than just football. Former Arsenal, West Ham and Celtic striker John Hartson will undergo chemotherapy after being diagnosed with brain cancer, according to reports in today’s papers.
The striker, was scored 89 goals for Celtic and was named Scottish Player’s Player and Football Writers Player of the year in 2005, was diagnosed at the weekend after undergoing tests.
The 34-year-old was told he had testicular cancer, which had spread to his brain.
Hartson was, for a period of time, the most expensive teenager in Britain when he moved from Luton to Arsenal in 1995. He then moved to West Ham and had spells with Wimbledon and Coventry City before moving to Celtic in 2001.
He spent five years at Parkhead before moving back to England with West Brom. After a brief loan spell with Norwich City he retired last year.
Hartson was one of those players who was popular with the fans wherever he went, none more so than at Celtic where he played a key part in their title successes.
At international level, he always gave his all in a Welsh shirt and often helped lift his younger and more inexperienced team mates. The sight of Hartson belting out the Welsh national anthem was one to behold.
On the pitch, John Hartson was renowned as a fighter who never gave any less than 100%. Here’s hoping that same fighting spirit will see him beat this horrible disease. From Soccerlens, get well soon John.
Topics: Arsenal, Celtic, English Premier League, Scottish Premier League, West Brom, West Ham
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get well soon john u where agreat player for arsenal and u are and arsenal legend the arsenal fans loved u and still do so get will soon
from rae brigden
July 13th, 2009 @ 14:46A great player and amazing talent. Let’s hope he recovers soon and continues to be involved in football. A dedicated, talented servant of the game.
July 13th, 2009 @ 15:04the thoughts and prayers of the whole celtic family and everyone conected to football are with you i know you will battle this the way you played never giving up HAIL HAIL YOU’LL NEVER WALK ALONE god bless you BIG BAD JOHN
July 13th, 2009 @ 15:26Forever known as a Celtic great.
Sad news indeed but with his many battles throughout his career already, i’m confident that the big man will beat this.
Get well soon John. YNWA
July 13th, 2009 @ 15:31your in the thoughts of everyone big man get well soon
July 13th, 2009 @ 18:01John, you’ll beat this mate. I suffered from stage 3 testicular cancer which travelled to my glands and lung, you will be surprised at how affective the Chemo is look at Lance Armstrong too John, he had testicular cancer in the brain and his lungs were full of it, he has made a full recovery!!
John I know you will get better mate thats a fact!!
You are a legend mate get well soon from the Liverpool FC boys!!! YNWA.
July 13th, 2009 @ 18:31A great player, and Celtic Legend.
July 13th, 2009 @ 18:56Get Well Soon, big man,
I would like to wish John a speedy recovery, and also thank him for many great footballing moments that i and all the West Ham fans have been privaliged to witness, and i know this is a battle John can win no problem, all the best John.
West Ham fan.
July 13th, 2009 @ 19:01Our thoughts, love and prayers are with you and your family at this difficult time. Big Bad John we wish you a speedy and full recovery, at least you know you look the part without hair!!! Fight the fight TIM and keep the faith.
July 13th, 2009 @ 19:31Be strong and may God bless you, the Mitchell’s Aberdeen.
best wishes big feller – a footballers footballer with the heart of a lion – this illness doesnt stand a chance !
July 13th, 2009 @ 19:51john mufc
hope you get well soon johnny!!
just a question though…how the heck does the cancer spread from your testicles to your brain??
July 13th, 2009 @ 19:56I mean theres the torso in between so shouldn’t there be some on the torso as well?
get well soon john ,the millions who cheered you every week have not gone away you will never walk alone,hail hail
July 13th, 2009 @ 20:37John,
I was shocked to hear of the news you have cancer. My prayers and thoughts are with you. You were always a fighter when you were on the park for Celtic and I am sure you will fight this challenge. I have your Jersey that you wore at a match against Motherwell, and I need you to sign it before I get it framed. You need to come back to Glasgow so that I can get the chance to meet you and get you to sign it.
Remember what we always used to sing “you will never walk alone” God Bless and praying for you. take care. Agnes,Denny.
July 13th, 2009 @ 22:10It’s been found in his brain because he had severe headaches. He could have tumour elsewhere, no doubt he’ll have more scans. That’s why his doc said they are trying to establish the exact nature of the presentation. Like others, I wish him well.
July 13th, 2009 @ 22:42Wishing Big Bad John all the best in his fight against cancer. Keep it positive big yin, you can beat this. Hail Hail YNWA.
July 14th, 2009 @ 00:14John I remember you from Sunday school, my Mum is going thro Chemo at mo,and I pray for you as I pray for her. Get well soon Johnny.XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
July 14th, 2009 @ 09:26John
You can beat this, believe it. This is one fight you will kick in the ass. All the best to you, our thoughts are with you.
Dundee United Fan
July 14th, 2009 @ 11:23hope you get well soon john.a great player with fighting spirit.you can do it..
July 14th, 2009 @ 19:48John,
Our hopes and prayers are with you.
Set em up!
God Bless,
July 14th, 2009 @ 20:01The Olde-Olthof Family
John,
Thinking of you and happy memories of your time at Celtic.
Hope and pray you make a good recovery.
Love Mary
July 14th, 2009 @ 20:05John,
Thinking and praying for you.Set em up!
The Olde-Olthof Family
July 14th, 2009 @ 20:12thank you for the years at parkhead u are a celtic legend.thank u for the goal at anfield.you will beat this because you are one big fighter.god bless
July 14th, 2009 @ 20:17john thinking n praying 4 u hope u get better u have a big heart u were a fighter on the park hope u can battle through this the nation is praying for u especially both devides of glasgow.from jim veronica kayleigh shannon.god bless u john .xxxxx.
July 15th, 2009 @ 16:17As before John you can beat anything, We wish you all the best to a speedy recovery where you will be watching the hoops regain the league. God bless you John Hartson from every Celtic supporter.
July 15th, 2009 @ 17:25john were all thinking off you and happy memories we remember at parkhead, you are a legeng hail hail,
take it easy big guy and we’ll see you back on our screen’s soon,
love the kelly family
July 15th, 2009 @ 18:15Get Well soon John! All the Celtic supporters are thinking of you, and your family. If anyone can beat this, you can! Good luck!
July 15th, 2009 @ 21:27We’ll all be praying you get well soon John, this disease can be beaten and if anyone can do it you will. I’m calling for everyone reading this post to say a little prayer to give big John strength, determination and most of all the comfort and peace that he needs on his road to recovery. C’mon world, lets get praying, the power of love is mighty.Take care everyone x
July 15th, 2009 @ 22:15what can i say to you john every celtic fan in ireland is praying for you one of the best the hoops had. your a fighter keep fighter big man where all with you god bless daly family
July 15th, 2009 @ 22:53Praying for you Big Man, you were a star in the Hoops and a gent off the park.
You can overcome this, keep the head up.
Hope to see you up and at it again soon.
July 16th, 2009 @ 00:56you are a whelsh legend and showed your pride and love for wales every time you pulled on your shirt’wales is behind you everystep you take to fight this,good luck keep fighting
July 16th, 2009 @ 08:49John and Family
Hey big man, You`ll never walk alone! The world needs guys like you, you`ve never let us down and I know your not going to this time. With Big John up front,cancer hasn`t got a fxxking chance!
July 16th, 2009 @ 09:57All the best John and i hope you get through this big man.
I think i speak on behalf all decent Rangers fans when i say this .
Come on pal, pull through.
July 16th, 2009 @ 15:22all the best to you john at this horrible time, and to your family also,
you can win this battle big man
July 16th, 2009 @ 19:52From all Scottish Football Fans, and celtic fans worldwide, our thoughts and prayers are with you “Big Man”. Get better soon..
July 16th, 2009 @ 21:36Great man, Celtic legend if anybody can beat this it is you BIG John thanks for your Celtic memories Very Best wishes for a complete recovery.
July 16th, 2009 @ 22:32Come on BFJ you can beat this if you show the passion, strength and pride you showed when I watched you week after week at Wimbledon, kick it off the park.
July 17th, 2009 @ 08:20come on john! you can do it im also a swansea man and city fan all of swansea and wales r behind you and your family best wishes to you and your family at this tough time.
July 17th, 2009 @ 08:53Get well soon Big John…. our thoughts are with you and your family at this tough time…no doubt you will get through it with your fighting spirit
July 17th, 2009 @ 11:14Hail Hail, Big John, Get well soon,
July 17th, 2009 @ 18:52All your Irish Fans
pne fan john but footie fan in general &loved your old fashion style of swashbuckling football.pull through this then we can see you on tv punditing again.god bless john
July 17th, 2009 @ 19:54Get well soon,Big Man.You deserve so much more in life,you are an absolute LEGEND.Long may you be with us,from a Diehard Celt,and Taff.God Bless,Paul.
July 17th, 2009 @ 21:01Get well soon John. All Celtic fans are thinking of you at this tough time. You’ll Never Walk Alone.
July 17th, 2009 @ 21:09Good luck mate! I was diagnosed with non-hodgkins lymphoma 2 years ago and had to go through six months of treatment and it’s tough. But you can do it, man! Looking forward to hearing you again on Talksport soon.
July 17th, 2009 @ 22:07You were a true battler as a player and you have to be a real battler now. Come on big man, you can do it. Best wishes from a Chelsea fan.
July 17th, 2009 @ 22:16Thoughts are with big John and family, from a Hammer.
July 18th, 2009 @ 00:19a stockport county fan here not many of us hope u get a full recovery john love to see u down at edgeley park
July 18th, 2009 @ 03:32I will continue to pray for you big man, God Bless you and your family….Hail Hail! YNWA!
July 18th, 2009 @ 04:45Good luck john. My thoughts are with you and your family
July 18th, 2009 @ 07:20at this tough time.
wishing you a speedy recovery,
July 18th, 2009 @ 12:44Our thoughts are with you Big Man – when you recover, we would love to see you down at Upton Park. God Bless
July 18th, 2009 @ 19:55C’mon JOHN, willing you to succeed just like the welsh games,
July 21st, 2009 @ 18:09don’t let us down, you never have,please get well soon.
You will get well and fully recover John !!! Just believe in this !!! I pray for you !!! Get well soon !!!
July 25th, 2009 @ 14:28best wishes john from your fans from ireland who followed you with arsenal and celtic , when millions are spent on players here’s a player that played for the love of the game not the money
July 27th, 2009 @ 22:03big john you gave us so many good days,now it is time for us to support you,stay strong and get well soon,
August 4th, 2009 @ 21:02brian,eire
GET WELL SOON JOHN, You have the strenght to beat this and you will.
August 18th, 2009 @ 15:58get well soon big man forever celtic forever John Hartson love from Dublin Ireland
August 24th, 2009 @ 22:53fantastic news John that you are on the road to recovery.
December 4th, 2009 @ 16:37great to see you looking so fit and well.you displayed the same courage through your illness as you showed throughout your career.you are a true celtic legend and i wish you well big man
December 13th, 2009 @ 21:17Hi John
January 16th, 2010 @ 21:51Great news to here you are recovering. How you are missed at parkhead. Ihope to see you back at parkhead very soon big man. You are always in my taughts. best of luck John.Hail Hail