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John Hartson gives his view on the Swans

The 36-year-old father-of-four, born and bred in Swansea and a lifelong fan of the heroic local side who smashed Reading in the play-offs in May to seal their place in football’s top flight for the first time since 1983, is rubbing his hands at the prospect of the first mouth-watering clash away to current FA Cup champions Manchester City on August 15.

“I think they will do very well. I have got every confidence in them under the guidance of Coach Brendan Rodgers to play even the best teams. But he will obviously struggle in certain areas,” he forecast.

John, now a TV soccer pundit, knows all about competing at the top level. The striker won 51 caps and scored 14 goals for Wales in ten years, and had a sparkling career in the British game, with stints at Arsenal, Celtic, West Ham, West Bromwich Albion, Luton Town, Wimbledon and Coventry City.

But he also knows more than most about struggle. He tells the harrowing tale of his year-long cancer battle following his July 2009 diagnosis with testicular cancer, which had spread to his brain and lungs, in the latest paperback edition of his book Please Don’t Go, recently promoted with a book signing in Uplands.

He admitted although there were points when he felt like giving up, he fought on to a successful outcome. In his sister Victoria’s diary published in parts of the book to cover events he cannot remember through illness, she relates how he once told his brother James “this will be my last night” and that he was “losing the battle.”

His miraculous survival included a death-defying journey from Singleton to Morriston hospital in Swansea for emergency brain surgery to save his life after he was unable to breathe from contracting pneumonia even before his cancer treatment had properly started.

He was to discover on recovery that cycling legend and fellow advanced testicular cancer survivor Lance Armstrong had called on his followers around the world the next day on his Twitter account to pray for John’s survival.

“I think the words ‘fighting for your lives’ are used far too commonly in football dressing rooms when describing a game. But here, I was literally fighting for my life. I had to rely on all my mental and physical strength,” John said.
“Everybody’s situation is different. People have their reasons for ending the fight for life. Once or twice I nearly gave up. It would be wrong for me to comment on other people’s diagnoses. But I never gave up hope and never stopped fighting.”

The football TV pundit, who is divorced from first wife Lowri with whom he had two children, married teacher Sarah McManus in July last year, after being told by doctors the previous month his treatment had been successful. They have had two children together, and Sarah had announced her pregnancy with their youngest the same month he first went into hospital.

John, who has very close-knit family and friends, including cousin and Swansea businessman Mark Hartson, was visited regularly during his trauma. This helped, along with messages of support from clubs he had played for over the years and well-known British faces, including Vinnie Jones, Joe Calzaghe, John Toshack and Ryan Giggs.

He was hugely touched by their thoughts but said his main mental focus which helped him to survive was knowing he had to fight for the sake of his three children, Sarah, and what became his fourth child Stephanie on the way.

“I did not want Stephanie to be born without a father. I think people in these situations should focus on something that should never happen,” he added.

Following his recovery, he has started the John Hartson Foundation which raises awareness of the need to check for testicular cancer and get it treated early - John was aware of testicular lumps but admits he left getting a diagnosis and treatment too late by which time the cancer had spread.

It also raises funds for Maggie’s cancer centres across the UK. Fundraising and awareness events have included climbs up Ben Nevis, snooker and pool challenges, golf competitions and even a Welsh kilt race (John wore a kilt at his wedding to Scottish Sarah – it was her idea).

The future is now looking bright, with plenty more TV work lined up, during which he will be keeping a close eye on his beloved Swans and enjoy family life in his home near Swansea.

Please Don’t Go: Big John’s Journey Back to Life, by John Hartson, is now available in paperback, priced £7.99.