Ex-Wanderers Boss Recovering From Cancer

By Mark Heys
May 11 2007

Former Bolton Wanderers manager and BBC pundit Jimmy Armfield has revealed that he is remaining positive and in high spirits about the future despite having received extensive chemotherapy for non-hodgkins lymphona - which is a form of cancer to the throat.

The 71-year old managed Bolton between 1971 and 1974 and helped the club gain some stability after having three managers in the space of twelve months in the early seventies.

During his time as Wanderers chief he guided the club to the Third Division championship in 1973 and persuaded renound stars such as Peter Thompson, Roger Hunt, Tony Dunne and Charlie Hurley to move to Burnden Park.

He left Burnden for Leeds United and helped the Yorkshire club get to the European Cup final before turning his hand to media in the late seventies and early eighties - a position which he has filled in some shape or form since.

Speaking about his illness, Armfield says there have been side affects and he has been told to rest whilst he is being treated.

"The prognosis is good, although I'm suffering from the side-affects of chemo and I'm not able to work. Generally, I'm very positive about the future" said the one time Blackpool and England full back.

Armfield is not the only ex-Wanderer to have received treatment for cancer in recent years as current Everton defender Alan Stubbs and Brian Kidd, now a coach at Sheffield United, both overcame the condition.

WALKING DOWN THE MANNY ROAD WOULD LIKE TO WISH JIMMY A SPEEDY RECOVERY