Bristol Rovers manager Joey Barton says the players and staff shaving their heads in support of cancer-stricken teammate Nick Anderton was the least they could do after the fundraiser for the defender passed the £26,000 mark.
The Gas descended on The British Barber Co. in Clifton on Monday to face the clippers and lose their locks, showing solidarity for the 26-year-old, who is undergoing chemotherapy after being diagnosed with osteosarcoma last year.
Barton is delighted to see so much money raised for Anderton and his young family in their time of need.
"It will keep the wolves from the door and allow him to focus on his recovery," he said. "He's got a new baby in the house as well, so it's the minimum we can do and we're thankful to everybody who has donated or shared and raised awareness.
"Every pound, every penny will make a difference in terms of helping Nick with his recovery."
Club captain Paul Coutts, who came up with the idea, says the initiative is the least Rovers can do for their teammate.
"I lived with him last year and he's an infectious character," Coutts said. "Everyone wanted to be around him; he brought a smile to everyone's faces.
"The news came in the summer with his diagnosis after he'd done the first week of pre-season and in his words, he was on fire, and then gets the scan on his knee and the news unfolds. We're just trying to support him and do anything we can to raise awareness."
Gas CEO Tom Gorringe, who along with other staff members including head of communications Andy Downie also braved the shave, thanked people for their support.
"It's been unbelievable," he said. "Football is brilliant at times like this when everybody needs to pull together. It's really touching just to see how everyone has rallied and supported Nick.
"We've had support from all across the country. In a difficult time, it's been a really heart-warming thing to be involved in."
The fundraiser has been met with an incredible response from Gasheads and the wider football community since it launched last week, with more than £25,000 already raised and that total is sure to rise now the players have braved the shave.
Anderton's life was changed in July when his condition was diagnosed. What he thought was a football-related injury – playing through discomfort at the back end of last season as Rovers clinched promotion – turned out to be something more sinister – osteosarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer.
Only around 550 cases of bone cancer are diagnosed in the UK each year and since his diagnosis, Anderton had an operation in October to remove a tumour and part of his femur. A biopsy later revealed the cancer was more aggressive and the 26-year-old has been undergoing chemotherapy.
Anderton was a pivotal member of the squad last season, playing a part in Rovers' promotion on and off the pitch. In addition to significant contributions from defence in his 39 appearances, he was a key figure in a dressing room that needed to gel rapidly in the wake of a significant overhaul of the squad following relegation in 2021.
The former Preston North End, Blackpool and Carlisle United player joined that summer and made a big impression on his teammates and his supporters, who have united to show their support for Anderton and his young family – his second child was born last week – as they endure a frightening ordeal.
You can donate to the fundraiser HERE
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