Halsey returns to game following battle with cancer
Former Premier League referee Mark Halsey takes charge of first game in seven months after being given cancer all-clear
Wednesday, 10, Mar 2010 02:30
By Michael Younger.
Former Premier League referee Mark Halsey last night took charge of his first game in seven months after being given the all clear from cancer.
In August last year, the Bolton-based official believed that he might not referee again having been diagnosed with throat cancer the day before the start of the season, and the 48-year old felt that Everton's 6-1 defeat against Arsenal at Goodison Park on the opening day of the season was to be his last match.
Speaking ahead of last night's game - the Totesport.com semi-final between Leicester City and Scunthorpe United - Halsey said: "Now I feel like I've won the lottery - like the guy who won £56 million a few weeks ago. I can cast my mind back to Friday August 14th when I was told I had cancer.
"I still decided to referee a game at Goodison the following day. The medical people will tell you I shouldn't have done it - I was in for surgery two days afterwards.
"In all honesty, I feel I shouldn't have done it. Was it being selfish? It's just that I didn't think I would referee again - ever. I thought I was finished.
"Goodison is one of my favourite grounds and I had a good look round at the end, thinking 'this is it, it's all over'.
"To come back like this, to be given the all-clear to resume my career is fantastic.
"Just three weeks ago I took my fitness test and failed miserably. My body just packed up, didn't want to know.
"But friends and colleagues reassured me that I could and last Thursday there were tears for a different reason. For my last lap all the other refs were cheering me on and it was quite emotional.
"I collapsed in tears across the line. Steve Bennett was there and I must have cuddled him for five minutes - I was crying my eyes out.
"I'd like to get back into the Premier League before the end of the season. If not, I'm not worried - I'm living, I'm breathing. One thing the cancer has done, I've lost weight. For another, my hair is growing back and my wife fancies me again."