Bristol Rovers players and staff will show solidarity with teammate Nick Anderton later this month by shaving their heads as he continues his battle with a rare form of bone cancer.
The defender was a hugely popular member of the team that won promotion from League Two last season and he was sure to be an important squad player this season until he was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in the summer after complaining of what he thought was a knee injury.
Joey Barton and his players were stunned by the 26-year-old's diagnosis and have shown support in any way they can, with Barton saying he intends to run the London Marathon for his promotion-winning left-back. Gasheads, too, show their solidarity with a minute's applause when the clock strikes 16 – in a nod to his shirt number – at the Mem becoming a regular ritual on matchdays.
Anderton had surgery in October to remove the tumour and part of his femur, and he has since revealed he has started chemotherapy after a biopsy revealed the cancer was more aggressive than first thought.
Club captain Paul Coutts will be among those taking part in the head shave on January 16 and he hopes the effort raises funds for Anderton and his young family. Coutts and Sam Finley are particularly close with Anderton, joining Rovers on the same day in 2021 and sharing a house in Bristol.
"We’ve always been as one in support of Nick," he said. "In the blink of an eye, his world's been turned upside down and this is another way that we can help raise awareness of his condition and raise valuable funds for him and his young family at the same time.
"Some of us have less hair to lose than others and I’m sure Nick’s looking forward to seeing his mates and the gaffer without any."
Anderton made 39 appearances in all competitions last season, scoring three goals including an invaluable winner at Harrogate Town. He later was front and centre in the jubilant promotion celebrations atop the Gloucester Road traffic lights alongside Aaron Collins.
More than £1,000 has already been donated to the cause and Gasheads can show their support here.
SIGN UP: To receive our free Rovers newsletter, bringing you the latest from the Mem
READ NEXT:
