Andy Mangan says Nick Anderton is his "hero" as a fundraising effort for the cancer-stricken Bristol Rovers defender has raiseed more than £17,000 in less than 48 hours.
Several of Anderton's teammates and coaches will shave their hair on January 16 to raise money for the 26-year-old, who continues to have chemotherapy after being diagnosed with osteosarcoma – a rare form of bone cancer – last summer.
More than 800 people have donated to the fund, including Gas owner Wael Al-Qadi, several teammates and former colleagues from across the football community, with the money being donated to Anderton and his young family, which welcomed the arrival of George, his second child, on Tuesday.
Speaking after the 2-0 EFL Trophy defeat to Plymouth Argyle, first-team coach Mangan says the club have been blown away by the response to the initiative.
"It shows everyone is together, which is an amazing thing for a football club," Mangan said. "The success we had last season, a lot of it Nick can be very proud of.
"For the fans to do what they have done to raise so much money in 24 hours is not surprising because these fans are unbelievable fans.
"A lot of us sacrifice living with our families and come down here for most of the week, but it’s a home away from home. Everyone has made us all feel welcome and it’s the same with Nick.
"Nick is devastated he’s not here every day and we need to give him our full support. Everything, these messages on Twitter and Instagram and all these letters he’s been getting, keep ploughing them in.
"I know this sounds horrible and I’m not one for this, but if you can spare anything, donate. It’s massive to Nick because he’s had his career snapped away from him and it must be the most heartbreaking thing."
Anderton was a reliable member of Joey Barton's promotion-winning team on the pitch last season, playing 39 times and scoring three goals, but more significant was his role in knitting the dressing room together with his charm and humour.
He was set to be part of their League One challenge this season, but examinations of what he presumed to be a knee injury at the start of pre-season revealed a tumour, which was removed as well as part of his femur in an operation in October.
Chemotherapy has followed for the former Blackpool, Preston North End and Accrington Stanley defender, with a biopsy showing the cancer was more aggressive than first thought, and Mangan says Anderton's response to his battle with the disease has been inspirational.
"I don’t think any other lad in the changing room could have dealt with it the way Nick has dealt with it," Mangan added "He’s such a brave person, he’s my hero. He’s had a little lad today, George, so congratulations to Nick. That is a bit of good news in a time where he’s not had loads of good news.
"There is an event going on and it’s being filmed by the club. It’s everything to get Nick a few quid because he’s an absolute legend, we all love him and tonight (against Plymouth) we haven’t looked after Nick and that won’t sit well with us so we have to come back and get a win for him in the next game."
People who wish to contribute to the fundraiser can donate HERE.
SIGN UP: To receive our free Rovers newsletter, bringing you the latest from the Mem
READ NEXT:
