Cancer surgery for former Southampton record signing Alan McLoughlin

1:43pm Monday 22nd October 2012 in Saints News Photograph of the Author By Dan Kerins, Digital Editor

Alan McLoughlin takes on Stuart Gray, December 1990. Alan McLoughlin takes on Stuart Gray, December 1990.

FORMER Saints' midfielder Alan McLoughlin has undergone surgery after being diagnosed with cancer.

The Irishman, who made 24 league appearances and scored one goal for Saints between 1990 and 1992, underwent surgery to remove a kidney and a cancerous tumour.

After spotting blood in his urine, a visit to hospital confirmed the worst.

He now has to wait until next month to find out if the operation has been a success.

McLoughlin said: "I just jumped back from the urinal and called out to Lucas, one of the physios who had travelled with us. He told me to go to the hospital."

"I just remember putting my hand up to my face and thinking 'How am I going to tell Deby and my two girls Abby and Megan and my mum and dad?

"The one thing this illness has taught me is perspective -- but it has also made me reminisce about the past and how much we have to be proud of as a family."

McLoughlin, who is best known for scoring the goal which took the Republic of Ireland to the 1994 World Cup, was Saints' record signing when Chris Nicholls splashed out £1m for his services from Swindon.

After leaving Saints, he moved to Portsmouth for £400,000 and spent seven years at Fratton Park and now works there as a youth coach.

 

Comments(11)

Just another reader says...
2:19pm Mon 22 Oct 12

Fingers crossed for a full recovery.

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Over the Edge says...
4:25pm Mon 22 Oct 12

Just another reader wrote:
Fingers crossed for a full recovery.
2nd by me

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Abbey Saint says...
6:54pm Mon 22 Oct 12

Best wishes Alan - all true supporters wish you a speedy return to the game you love and have graced so well

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PTID1898 says...
7:37pm Mon 22 Oct 12

Would just like to wish Alan a swift and full recovery your a top man like to send you all my support all the best

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Linesman says...
8:03pm Mon 22 Oct 12

Have met him a number of times and as well as being a top footballer, he is a top gent. Get well soon Aln

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Linesman says...
8:04pm Mon 22 Oct 12

Linesman wrote:
Have met him a number of times and as well as being a top footballer, he is a top gent. Get well soon Aln
Best wishes and get well soon Alan.

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andrwingrm says...
8:35pm Mon 22 Oct 12

Best wishes Alan. I hope for a speedy recovery

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sparkster says...
8:36pm Mon 22 Oct 12

Get well soon Alan our thoughts are with you and your family

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City Saint says...
9:03pm Mon 22 Oct 12

All the best Alan, plenty of friends here in the south are wishing you well and a speedy recovery.

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Hdg end mo says...
12:32am Tue 23 Oct 12

Wishing you a complete recovery all the best to you and your family at this difficult time

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CB FRY LIVES says...
4:06pm Tue 23 Oct 12

good luck to AL,he served all his clubs with great pride and professionalism.one of the few players who left SAINTS for Pompey and got better as a player.

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