Reading goalkeeper and former Bristol Rovers loanee Joe Lumley has followed the Gas squad and staff by shaving his head in support of his good friend Nick Anderton.
Rovers defender Anderton was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer last summer, and is undergoing chemotherapy treatment to combat the illness.
Lumley and Anderton’s friendship dates back to when they were teenagers and just making their way in the game, and the Royals No1 is also godfather to his daughter Grace.
Having seen the Rovers squad “brave the shave” on Monday, as Joey Barton, his coaches, the playing squad and club staff descended on the British Barber Co in Clifton to have their heads shaved, Lumley followed suit to show his own sense of solidarity with his mate and to help raise awareness.
Lumley made 19 appearances for the Gas after being signed on loan during the 2016/17 season by Darrell Clarke from QPR. He has since enjoyed a career in the Championship with the Rs, Middlesbrough and now Reading.
“I'm godfather to his daughter Grace. He's just had a new baby boy as well. So it's to help his family out and I've done it to help raise the profile. It keeps me ticking over how positive he is and it puts everything into perspective,” Lumley told Berkshire Live.
“I speak to him every day, he's still positive and he's not sure if he can play again but I'm still playing and will do my best every day in every training session, every game. You don't know when your time is up in football.
“We had the same agent, and they used to do pre, pre-season up in the Lake District. None of the boys knew each other and we got put in the same room when we were 17 and then we got on like a house on fire.
“No word of a lie, ever since that day I've spoken to him every single day. I went on loan to Accrington Stanley (2014) that year and lived with him and his mum.
“Then I went on loan to Blackpool and he was there, so since I met him we have been best pals since.
“He asked me to be godfather to his daughter - little Gracie. It's tough but he'll be okay. I know a few of their lads and their captain Paul Coutts was asking me when I was going to do it, so I had no choice.”
News of Rovers fundraiser has spread across the globe with the story broadcast in China, Brazil, the UAE and the United States, with people touched by the sense of unity and how the football family has come together to support Nick and his family.
The fundraiser has now exceeded the £38,000 mark and you can read more about Nick’s situation and donate HERE
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