Best wishes to Mark Halsey - I never knew.
CANCER-stricken referee Mark Halsey has astonished his colleagues by asking for a return to Premier League duty.
Halsey, who is having punishing chemotherapy, has begged refs' boss Keith Hackett to put him back in the firing line.
Hackett cannot oblige until the 48-year- old official has beaten the illness. But he was full of admiration when Halsey turned up at a two-day training camp last week.
"Mark just came in and did the training with the rest," said Hackett. "He's become an iconic figure for all the refs.
"He's actually asked me if he can come back right now, restarting as a fourth official. The answer is no because he has been out of the game for more than a month and would have to re-take the fitness test.
"You can tell the kind of guy he is by the fact that he sometimes rings me to apologise for not coming in - because he's having chemo."
Halsey, who was diagnosed with primary cancer of the lymph nodes in August, is involved in a family crisis, with his wife Michelle having already had treatment for leukaemia.
But Hackett added: "There's no moping and Mark is continuing to train. That's an inspiration for everyone.
"You should see the incredible number of messages he's had, many from top players including Wayne Rooney."
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On a footballing note, never forget that he was the ref for 4-2 black sabbath.
An inspiration and on Team Armstrong for sure!
The Bolton-based official is to take charge of a reserve match between Leicester and Scunthorpe at Hinckley.
Halsey has been given the all-clear to return to the game following treatment for throat cancer after passing a rigorous referee fitness test.
The 48-year-old has been getting back in shape by training with Bolton at their base on the outskirts of Chorley.
It has been a difficult time for his family as Halsey's wife Michelle has been treated for leukaemia.
Halsey, who was diagnosed with the disease the day before the season started, told ITV's Granada Reports one of the first messages of support came from Chelsea captain John Terry.
He said: "When I found out I had cancer, I did not think I would be back refereeing. I thought that was it. I thought my career was over, but here I am.
"The chemotherapy hit me hard, it really did. I was quite ill. My throat was very sore but it is just getting back to normal. I've got no taste, though, but hopefully that will come back in time.
"I want to show people who suffer from cancer we can all beat this disease. It's for them. That's why I want to get back on the pitch."
All the best Mark....looking forward to seeing you back in the PL very soon indeed.
Shocking ref though!
Nice one, Mr Halsey!
Halsey
I wish him all the best.
Glad he is better and in good health but shit ref from the games i have seen on the telly box