Newcastle Town's John Cotton is now confined to barracks for a couple of weeks as he continues his cancer treatment.
Phase two of his treatment is about to begin which will mean he can't attend any games, but Cotto was able to get down to the Lyme Valley Stadium last Saturday for the game against Padiham. He says he was overwhelmed by the reception he got when he arrived.
"Loads of people were there who I knew, and everyone seemed surprised to see me. I'd like to thank everyone who took time to talk to me and wish me all the best. Our Commercial Manager Geoff Eccleston has christened me John "Chemo" Cotton, and I reckon club officials were pleased I'd turned up because bar takings have taken a dip since I've been missing".
Elsewhere on the website, in a separate story John is pictured with fellow club stalwarts Len Matthews and Brenda Bowden as they received their FA long service awards before the game, suitably attired in headgear for the occasion (see picture above).
"Len said it was no surprise that I turned up, as he reckons I end up in every picture from Town that ends up in the media. He said that once I knew there was a photo opportunity I'd turn up like a bad penny and get in on it. Looking at the pictures now, a suitable description of me would be the prat in the hat, but in my defence it was a cold day on Saturday". (Cotto actually suggested another word similar to prat, but editorial censorship had to be applied).
In the short term Cotto is resigning himself to following Town's fortunes from home for a week or so. "The doctors' have upped the strength of my tablets, which means I'll miss the games against Maine Road and Congleton, but hopefully I'll be able to get to the away game at Ashton Athletic on the 13th. Between now and then, I'll have to keep tabs on what's going on from home, by logging on to the League's Twitter site and ringing Ray Tatton (Town's secretary) during games.
"I had a nice surprise a week or two back when I got a letter from Sean McCarthy, who is one of the club's Vice Presidents. He is out in Malta now, but he saw the story about me on the league website and wrote a nice letter reminiscing about old times.
"If anyone else out there fancies ringing me up for a natter about football while I'm stuck at home for the next week or so, I'd be delighted to hear from them".
