Why the Net has the advantage in the ‘Undies world’
- Shopping blogger Emma Iannarilli
Striker Geoff faces cancer battle
Friday 10th October 2008, 10:22AM BST.
Popular former Albion and Blues star Geoff Horsfield is preparing for the battle of his life next week when he undergoes surgery for testicular cancer.
Send us your goodwill messages for the striker by filling out the comment form below
See also: Horsfield retires: His story in pictures
The 34-year-old former Birmingham City and West Brom striker was diagnosed with the cancer last Friday.
The diagnosis forced Horsfield to retire from a career he was hoping to extend by winning a contract with Walsall and begin bracing himself for surgery next Thursday.
The striker, a popular figure at both clubs after helping each win promotion to the Premier League, says: “I found a small lump in my left testicle and went to see the doctor at West Brom, who’s a good friend of mine.
“I was diagnosed last Friday and I’m going in for surgery next Thursday. The surgeon has told me that this is the end of my professional career, which is disappointing.
“All I’m thinking about now is beating this. I’ve always been a fighter right through my football career and I’m going to fight this and win.”
Horsfield will be swamped with goodwill messages from a shocked football community around the West Midlands, where he forged a reputation as a tough, uncompromising striker for whom promotion was a speciality.
He led Blues into the Premier League for the first time in 2002 and two years later helped Albion do the same thing following their relegation the previous season.
Horsfield then stayed to play a stirring role in the famous Great Escape campaign before moving on to Sheffield United.
His career was in wind-down after loan spells at Leicester and Scunthorpe last season but he had been hoping for one last shot of glory in the region by earning a contract with the Saddlers.
He now accepts, however, that there are bigger battles to be fought.
He added: “I’ve had 10 good years with Fulham, Birmingham, Wigan, West Brom and all the other clubs I’ve played for and enjoyed it.
“That’s at the back of my mind now. It’s just one of those things and I’ve come to terms with my career being over.
“The specialist told me I did well to find the lump because it is so small. He says I stand a good chance of making a full recovery because we’ve got in early.”
Of further encouragement to Horsfield will be the news that earlier this year fellow professional Matt Duke, the Hull City reserve keeper, announced that he had beaten the same disease.
Sponsored Links
Business Awards
Book a Business Awards table
Join our celebrations of the region's best in business on Thursday March 22 - book your table now
Lifestyle
Interactive Dining Out map
Hundreds of reviews by the Express & Star and Shropshire Star's teams to help you decide where to eat.
entertainment
All the film reviews
Before you plan a trip to the pictures, get our critics' verdicts on all the latest movie releases
OUR NEW APP
Get the new E&S app
Download the Express & Star’s new app to your iPad or iPhone to get one week of access to our digital newspapers absolutely FREE.
expressandstar.com
Popular sections
Useful links
Good Luck Horse!!
Top Bloke, Top Forward and will always have a place in me heart!!
Boing Boing!!
Report abuse
Geoff i will never forget you climbing off the bench to score against Portsmouth on the last day of the season to aid our survival. That same fighting spirit will see you through i am sure, all the best.
Report abuse
Good luck Geoff!!
You always appeared up for a battle and I’m sure your ready to give this one your all!
Get well soon!
Report abuse
Enjoyed watching you play for the Baggies Geoff,
Always a favourite of mine (you where a work HORSE) All the best for a speedy recovery,good luck to you and your family.
Report abuse
All the very Best ,Good Luck
Report abuse
Good Luck Geoff!
Andy—Wolves
Report abuse
Wishing you all the besy Geoff, hope everything goes well for you.
Report abuse
Good luck, i am sure you will come through this as your a tough guy who was always up for a battle on the pitch.
Report abuse
Sorry, wishing you all the best Geoff.
Report abuse
good luck Geof!!.You can beat this!!
Forever a fighter!!!Baggies fan.
Report abuse
Terrible illness, all the best beating it Geoff im sure you have all of the midlands football communtity right behind you!!!
Report abuse
excellent player with a big heart, run his socks off and scored vital goals for the baggies and blues, never gave less than 100% every match, everyones behind ya! come on geoff
Report abuse
good luck geoff i hope all goes well, you put many smiles on blue noses and albion faces,
KEEP RIGHT ON mate.
Report abuse
Good luck Geoff – you’re a legend, and my favourite Blues player of all time.
You will win this battle, you’re a true fighter!!
All the best Geoff
Report abuse
you`ll win this Geoff
Ray-Wolves
Report abuse
Good luck Geoff. I’m sure you will be fine.I’m sure you’ll have everyones support.
Report abuse
All the best of luck to you Geoff!
Marcus-Wolverhampton Wanderers
Report abuse
All the best geoff one of the hardest working strikers there ever was in an albion shirt all the best.
Report abuse
What sad news this is. The main thing we all Know that Geoff is a big strong fighter who will win this Battle.
All the Best Geoff.
Report abuse
All the best Geoff!!
Met him a few times after games and he was just a perfect gent … always had time for the fans and happy to talk openly about whats going on behind closed doors!
And of course …. THAT goal that put us on our way to the GREAT ESCAPE!!!
Report abuse
All the best Horse. There IS more to life than football mate. Coseley Wolves
Report abuse
Good luck mate, you’ll beat this, I DID, it has a very high cure success rate!!!
Report abuse
Good luck Geoff. All the best.
Report abuse
It’s times like these when our rivalries are inconsequential….
Good luck Geoff, keep up the belief and you’ll be fine..
Report abuse
You’re a fighter Goeff. You can beat this.
All the best.
Ade(Wolves)
Report abuse
Good luck Geoff
Report abuse
All the best Hoss!
Report abuse
Good luck Geoff, although am 22 years old I had suffered from the same situation and had been operated in June 2008. Am an ameteur goalkeeper but hoepfully will regain full fitness within weeks. I wish all the best to Geoff!!
Report abuse
chin-up geoff,you have got all the midlands right behind you,all the best mate
Report abuse
One of the few players capable of uniting opposing fans in their admiration of a true gent and a proper working class hero!! Always played with his heart on his sleeve and fire in his belly.
All the very best Geoff, you’ll come thru this I’m certain!!
Report abuse
No-one deserves this illness, hope you can pull this Geoff. Best Wishes
Report abuse
Good Luck Geoff!
Report abuse
Geoff best wishes to you and your family.
You’re a true gent and a great fighter, you’ll beat this mate :)
Keep Right On
Report abuse
Good luck Geoff! I’ve had teticular cancer too and know that it can be beaten if caught early. The survival rate is very high nowadays. I dont know why you have been told that your career is over though. Lance Armstrong, the cyclist had a very aggressive form of testicular cancer and he came back to have even more success in his career. I read his book ‘It’s not about the bike’ which is about his battle with the disease. It inspired me. All the best.
Report abuse
Best wishes to you mate, can’t remember you ever giving up on anything on the pitch, if anyone can beat this its you. Nice to see messages from other teams fans. Proper football fans will always appreciate proper football blokes.
Report abuse
Good luck Geoff,
One of the very few players who worked as hard as the fans expect, even for a blue nose.
Keep Fighting
Theirs always spare seat on the villa bench if you fancy being a super sub when you come out of retirement.
GOOD LUCK
Report abuse
Good luck from ALL fans. As a footballer you were never afraid of a good battle, Let’s hope this is one you can beat.
Report abuse
Just another wall for you to burst through. We all know you’re more than capable
All the best
Report abuse
Good luck Geoff, hope everything goes well. A true centre forward, no quarter asked, no quarter given. The type of player every club needs
Report abuse
Top bloke Geoff! best of luck mate, everyones thinking of you.
Report abuse
Good luck Geoff, you are one hard SOB so I’m sure you will beat this.
Report abuse
good luck geoff,metyou once an your a true gent!all the best,x
Report abuse
We all know you have the heart and the guts to win through. A real top man.
Report abuse
Best wishes for a sound recovery from Villa.
Report abuse
All the best Geoff. Wish you a quick recovery.
From a Wolves supporter in Denmark
Report abuse
They don’t make them like the Hoss anymore.
Good luck mate, your fighting spirit will see you through!!
Report abuse
Geoff,
You are a fighter and will pull through.
All the best.
Report abuse
shocked to hear news of you illness. All the best for a speedy recovery
Report abuse
Geoff – you were up there with all the great Baggie number 9′s of all time. We know you can do it.
Report abuse
All the best Arked
Shanee- Wolves
Report abuse
Good luck horse, you can beat it
Report abuse
Keep Fighting Geoff.
Just remember what Lance Armstrong managed.
Report abuse
I do not support any off the teams you have played for, however i still wish you the best of luck with you operation and hope you fully recover from this illness.
Best wishes and Kind Regards
Sharron
Report abuse
Just to say.
May you gain strength and hope through
the coming days. May God watch over you
and renew you, WILL be praying for you Geoff.
be assured. Enjoyed watching while you were a baggie. Boing Boing in life too. All the best.
Report abuse
Good luck fella and best wishes in your battle with a terrible disease.
Report abuse
Top man for Albion and a top bloke too – good luck Geoff!
Report abuse
Hello geoff i a good wolves fan but i never thought i would say this but you was a cracking player and i like you all the best mate i would loved if you would of came to wolves but you played for orther teames and you did really well hope you get better all the best
Report abuse
All the best Horse, I hope you pull through.
A player with a great desire, and never gave less than 100% you will be missed in the game!
Graham (Wolves)
Report abuse
good luckk m8
Report abuse
all the best kid a true fighter
Report abuse
Hope you get well soon Geoff! Top man. Boing Boing
Report abuse
All the best Geoff, we’re with you all the way
Report abuse
Geoff, I’m Wolves through and through, but this unites all men. I have been there, it’s horrible and very hard! but a challenge you CAN win! Stay strong and positive. You will get through it and life takes a new lease! I wish you well!
Good luck
Andy London
Report abuse
Always been a battler, u can get through this Geoff
If anyone is strong enough then its the Horse
Good Luck Geoff
Were all behind u
Report abuse
all the best
hope he makes a full recovery
good player i ahve to admit
Report abuse
Good luck HORSE!
Keep fighting!
Report abuse
You will get thru, you have all of us behind you wishing for your speedy recovery. You are a Albion legend!
Report abuse
Best wishes and I hope that the operation is a complete success
Report abuse
Good luck to you Geoff,hope you have a speedy recovery.
Keep right on x
Report abuse
Sorry to hear the sad news of your illness Geoff, you were a top man at the Baggies. Whole hearted, honest,100% every time and, tell you what, you were a better footballer than you got credit for. I am sure that your tremendous spirit will see you through.
Report abuse
A proper battling centre-forward and always a pleasure to see you fighting for your cause and team on the pitch. Good luck an God Bless
Report abuse
great player great bloke
best wishes and good luck
Report abuse
All the best to Geoff and his family
Report abuse
Good luck to the “hors” against this terrible disease, it’s nice to see fans can forget stupid squabbles and realise what matters most in life.Hope you see this through geoff
Report abuse
good luck geoff. hope you beat this. all the best.
Report abuse
Good Luck Geoff,
After surviving cancer myself albeit different to yours I want to wish you a very speedy recovery
I got over mine by supporting the baggies,ranting and raving at the officials it works wonders.
All the Best Baggiebird x x x
Report abuse
If heart and strength and determination can have any impact on this illness then geoff will be fine – he’s a real character who never knew when to give up.
Best wishes Horse, all of football is praying for you !
Report abuse
Best wishes Geoff, top guy and we know you’ll win as you always did on the pitch
Report abuse
All the best to you mate, a legend to football fans in the Midlands!!!
Report abuse
Good luck Geoff, a great character in the game which are becoming few and far between in these days of billionaire investments.
Report abuse
All the very best Geoff
Report abuse
All the best Geoff. No One deserves this.
You did yourself proud as a Pro
Regards
Lawrence
PS BOING BOING!!
Report abuse
Horse, you are a genuine gentleman of the game and a hero of the West Midlands.
Good luck mate, you’ll beat this thing!!
Report abuse
Good luck mate!
All the very best – you will pull through this with the support of others around you! Just look at the comments on here!!
Report abuse
All the best Geoff and here’s hopping for a short retirement and back in your boots soon
Report abuse
Geoff, the fighting spirit you have will over come this.
“feed the horse and he will score”
Report abuse
All the best Geoff!!!!!
Be strong fella!!!!! and you’ll be sound!!!!!
Report abuse
wishing you all the best big man, im positive its a fight that you will win……
Report abuse
All the very best, Geoff. You were a great player.
Report abuse
Wishing you a full and speedy recovery.
Report abuse
Good Luck Geoff!
Report abuse
Geoff, Best wishes for a speedy recovery.
Report abuse
Geoff sorry to hear the new about your illness.
You always gave everything when you played and I am sure you will beat this.
Good luck
Report abuse
Good Luck, Geoff!!
UP THE WOLVES!!!
Report abuse
all the best big man we know you,re a winner so you can beat this.good luck
Report abuse
With that fierce determination you showed us on the football pitch you will beat this disease. Get well soon.
Report abuse
All the best Geoff
Report abuse
Geoff, If anyone can beat this its you.
You have proved you are good for a
battle and to be a success.
All the very best
US FANS are all with you,
once a BAGGIE always a BAGGIE
Report abuse
I, for one Saddler was looking forward to you pulling on that White and Red shirt and banging in a few goals for us. You would have gone down a right treat at the Bescot (sorry Banks’s)’cos we love our battling centre forwards!
Good luck to you and your family!
Get back down to the training ground in Essington when you are ready!! (Walsall’s training facility)
Report abuse
Good Luck hun all the best and get well sune
BOING BOING
Report abuse
Geoff, a good honest man with a heart of a lion you will never be forgotten from promoting and keeping the blues and albion in prem to commanding so much respect that you were clapped for your two goals you scored for leeds against the baggies.
Good luck and all the best on your next battle, boing boing!
Report abuse
all the very best Geoff, we always admired your fighting spirit and i’m sure it’ll shine through.
Decca – Wolves
Report abuse
Good luck mate,I hope you come through this with flying colours,thanks for what you did at West Brom..
Report abuse
All the best Geoff, you are one of my biggest heroes and I am crossing everything for you!
My 11 year old and I were sitting behind the goal in the Brummie when you scored against Pompey and you have had a lasting effect on him as he still always compares his self to “The Horse” when he plays!
Report abuse
Good luck Geoff! “Feed the horse and he will score!”
Report abuse
The saying down here in OZ Geoff is ‘she’ll be right mate, no worries’
Perth Baggies thinking of you.
Report abuse
GOOD LUCK GEOFF KEEP THAT FIGHTING SPIRT
Report abuse
Great to see so many fans thinking of you. Best wishes for a full recovery.
Report abuse
All the best Geoff! Always admired you as a striker even though you did play for the blues and the albion!
come on the horse!
Report abuse
good luck geoff
terrible news but we all know u can beat it
dont let it get u down stay strong
Report abuse
It is very sad to hear some one of Geoff’s ability has to endure this terrible disease.
Geoff, if you do read these blogs you will know that you are well thought of in the Midlands.
I hope for a speedy recovery for you and best wishes to you and your family.
Good luck.
Report abuse
Best of luck Geoff aka ‘The Horse’,
two names come to mind, Bob Champion & Lance Armstrong, keep the faith mate.
God Bless, BOING BOING.
Report abuse
BEST OF LUCK GEOFF,you can beat this you have thousands of fans willing you on.
Report abuse
I MET GEOFF A COUPLE OF TIMES IN BOMBERS BAR AT THE SHRINE AFTER GAMES,HES A TOP DOWN TO EARTH BLOKE WHO CAME FROM A WORKING BACKGROUND,ALL THE BEST BIG FELLA,U OF ALL PEOPLE WILL BEAT THIS.
ALBION TILL I DIE.
Report abuse
What a sad way to end the career of a great pro. I always thought of the Horse as a proper centre forward and would have loved to have seen him in a Saddlers’ shirt.
Good luck to you Geoff.
Report abuse
TOP BLOKE,TOP PLAYER,ALL THE BEST BIG FELLA
Report abuse
All the best, Geoff. You’re a true fighter and a hero so I know everyone will be rooting for you.
Just think of it as like knocking another wall down!
Report abuse
No knackers yard for this fine Horse, as you will overcome this mini diversion Geoff.
You’ve always been a great player pulling your Team to victory. Always remember, you’ve got a great Team here, now pulling for your triumph.
Report abuse
hope you beat this horrible disease. just would of wished to see you in a saddlers shirt. u were a class striker who i always admired. good luck in everything you have gotta go through but as you said u have always been a fighter so keep it up.
Report abuse
Best of luck Geoff!!
Just reading some of these posts, off fans from all of the Midlands clubs shows how well respected you are, and how football comes 2nd to things like this.
Again, best of luck!!
Report abuse
A True Working Class Hero Speedy Recovery Big Man
Report abuse
come on sun, yow con beat this big man, always give 100% and yow will be bangin em in agen soon. good luck mate.
Boing boing.
Report abuse
Everyone loves a trier, and the horse certainly was one of them! Scored plenty of good goals throughtout his career – a typical old fashioned centre-forward, respect!
One more “Great Escape” for you here mate…and this time everyones right behind you, even wolves fans!
Best wishes to ya and all your family.
Report abuse
As much as i am upset to hear this terrible news, im so pleased with the respect that Geoff is getting from all the fans
thanks wolves fans, u can b proud of yourselves
Good Luck Geoff =]
Report abuse
ay up big man..you used to scare me when you played againest us.so dont be scared of this,you will beat it.all the best geoff…
Report abuse
I am much more confident of you beating this disease than i was you putting away a one on one Horse!! Only joking mate….
You will always be a hero for the goal v pompey, and good luck to you and your family at this testing time.
Get well soon.
SBG
Report abuse
All the best mate! I’m sure you will score the biggest goal of them all by beating this!
“Feed the horse and he will score!!!!”
Report abuse
Good luck Geoff.
Feed the horse and he will score!!!
A true legend. Best of luck mate!
Report abuse
Best of luck geoff you can beat this, we’re all behind you
Boing Boing
Report abuse
admired throughout the midlands top player and a fighter,,you can beat this geoff no problems,,
FEED THE HORSE AND HE WILL SCORE,,,,GOODLUCK MATE,,,
Report abuse
Geoff, you broke my heart scoring in the last
minute against my beloved Baggies a few years
back, but you were my hero when you signed for us.
You played with your heart on your sleeve & me
& my family love you to bits. BIG heart pal, you’ll beat this. Take your coaching badges, the
game needs you! Daz (Baggies)
Report abuse
good luck geoff, a mate of mine had the same condition years and years ago and he’s still playing football to this day,looking forward to seeing you putting the ball away again.
Report abuse
God bless you Geoff – it’s picked on the wrong bloke and you will be the winner.
Report abuse
GOOD LUCK BIG FELLA dont see this being a problem for you,all the best
Report abuse
good luck mate!
Report abuse
good luck,hope all goes well…. but up the wolves (:
Report abuse
GOOD LUCK BIG FELLA,IF YOU BATTLE THIS LIKE ALL THE DEFENDERS YOU DID IN YOUR CAREER I KNOW YOU`LL BEAT IT……..A BAGGIES HERO
Report abuse
all the best geoff as one who has had cancer and survived, although it was a different kind i know it is a scary time for you and youe family but you are a fighter as you were on the pitch for the albion you will get through this
Report abuse
come on geoff you can beat this ! you were a battler on the pitch, and you wont let this beat you boing boing feed the horse and he will score
Report abuse
Geoff,
With that famous goal on the last day of the season, you set up all of us Baggies fans to the euphoria of “The Great Escape”.
I pray that our thoughts and best wishes for your recovery and restoration of good health will ensure your own personal victory and immensely more important “Great Escape”.
Report abuse
Geoff, the thoughts of every baggies fan, blues fan, fulham fan, halifax fan will be with you – a true legend wherever you have played.
Good luck Geoff stay positive!
Feed the horse and he will score!
Report abuse
Good Luck Horse.
You’ll be O.K.!
Report abuse
All the best Geoff! you’ll be fine, I’m sure that you will come through this battle ok, you’re a good’un. Get well soon mate, best wishes and a speedy recovery to you and all of your family.
I would also like to say thank you to all of the supporters of rival teams that Geoff will be uplifted to receive the well wishes that you have posted.
Report abuse
good luck geoff from all of us,im sure you,l soon be back up and at um, boing boing
Report abuse
Good Luck Geoff, the entire football family will be wishing you a speedy recovery.
Regards
London Wolves
Report abuse
All the best, i’m thinking of you and your family. If you battle this illness like you played football, you’ll be ok.
Report abuse
KURAGG Geoff. From all West Bromwich Albion supporters in Malta.
Report abuse
Nicknamed the “horse” but really has the heart and fight of a lion. Just another fight in lifes long battle which you will win with your usual style of grit, determination and hard work that you always showed on the pitch……..Get well soon mate
Report abuse
Good Luck Geoff, I was diagnosed with same at the end of 2002 and following the operation and Chemo I am now fully recovered.
Keep a possitive attitude.
Report abuse
Good Luck in your battle Geoff.
You are one of the few modern day footballers that still has a grip on reality. Many a time I have seen you turn up for training in a “builders” van because you where doing a bit of bricklaying at your house.
Top top man!!!
Report abuse
Good Luck Geoff – get well soon, get your coaching badges & show Ish Miller what a centre forward should be.
Report abuse
Good Luck Geoff, I’m a wolves fan but it shows there are more important things than football :)
You are a fit bloke and more than capable of getting over this mate. Good luck!!
Take a look at Geoff Thomas, he is a real inspiration to all that have ever suffered testicular cancer.
Report abuse
Good luck in your battle Geoff, our thoughts are with you in this, your difficult time.
Report abuse
All the best Horse. I know you will beat this.
Horse’s best moments :
1.dive at old trafford for the penalty which set us on course for the great escape
2. terrfic volley against pompey to keep us up.
All the best
Report abuse
hi geoff,
you gave george & me 3 of my best moments as a west brom fan. 1. the villa game where robbo equalised in the last minute, 2. the man u game where you got the pen (still thought you fell over a bit easily)!!! and 3 that goal against portsmouth. wishing you a tina all the best. fight it. best wishes, neil & george weyham, lichfield. boing boing
Report abuse
Best of luck Geoff, great player,great person here’s wishing you a speedy recovery.
The sooner we beat this vile disease the better.
Report abuse
All the best Geoff. We all hope you come through this mate.
Report abuse
Good luck Geoff!
Steve E – Wolves fan, USA
Report abuse
Good luck geoff. You will beat this. I got dignosed in june with the same cancer and got the all clear in September, so hopefully that quick for you too. Hope u wont have to retire though im in the army and I hope to be back to full fitness by january so hopefully u can come back and we can all see you banging in the goals once again.
GAZ DUNN Sheffield United Fan
Report abuse
top bloke the horse,best of luck to you & your family,youve always been a battler & youve got the mental steel to win this battle…feed the horse and he will score.
Report abuse
Good Luck Geoff,
I’m sure you’ll beat this mate.
Best wishes
Report abuse
best wishes to you and your family geoff true gentleman
Report abuse
Geoff all the best to you – One of the real nice genuine guys in football & there ain’t many left!! All the best to you & your family!
Boing Boing xxx
Report abuse
Good Luck for the surgery and the months ahead!! You were a true fighter on the pitch and I’m sure you will be against this!!
Report abuse
Good luck geoff.
I met you a couple of times at the albion, your a top bloke.
My dad was diagnosed with the same as you when he was 34, that was 14 years ago & he’s still going strong now. He beat, so can you!
Keep your spirits up!
Thinking of you & your family
luv
Heather x
Report abuse
Geoff
Just over a year ago I was diagnosed with exactly the same thing. I’m pleased to say that over a year on I am back at work and I’ve been given the all clear. It just goes to show that if you catch it early enough everything will be ok.
I’m sure you’ll show the same fight and passion to beat this, as you did on the football pitch.
All the best to you Geoff. I know you’ll come through on top.
Report abuse
Best wishes and thanks for always giving 100% when you played for us. If strength of character counts for anything then you’ll have no worries. Good luck Geoff
Report abuse