CANCER CHANCER; Hero lied he was fighting illness.

Byline: ROD CHAYTOR

A FOOTBALLER hailed as a hero for playing in a cup final while claiming to have cancer has admitted it was a sham.

Nick Colley was made captain for the day and led his team out for the emotional FA Trophy showdown at Villa Park in May.

Just days earlier the 28-year-old winger had told his team manager he had the life-threatening disease in his stomach and bladder.

The revelation prompted his team-mates - who had been barracking him in training for not putting in enough effort - to vow to give their all for him.

Colley's claim sparked a flood of goodwill letters and fund-raising events to raise cash for his treatment.

But this week he finally admitted he has never had cancer.

He confessed after suspicious club officials told him they needed written confirmation from his doctor, for their insurance company, that he was fit to play.

Darron Gee, manager of Staffordshire team Tamworth, said: "Nick told me after training on Tuesday he didn't have cancer.

"We needed to see his medical records and make sure he was OK to start playing again.

"We also needed something for insurance purposes to cover ourselves but nothing was forthcoming.

"As a result of a meeting with Nick on Tuesday night, the club has issued a statement and chosen to distance themselves from him. It's now down to Nick to tell his side of the story but this is a situation that we've been uncomfortable with for some time."

News of Colley's supposed illness emerged after Tamworth lost 2-1 in the final of the contest - the FA Cup for senior non-league clubs - to Lancashire village side Burscough.

Thousands of well-wishers sent him cards and left messages of support on the team's website.

Colley announced he was flying to San Diego for "treatment" and a travel agent gave him free air tickets to America.

A whip-round at the club's annual dinner raised money to send Colley's parents to join him in the States.

Fund-raising events raised thousands, although later Colley said the cash should go to Birmingham Children's Hospital.

The player guested for West Midlands Police on Saturday against Leamington and played for Tamworth reserves on Tuesday before his crunch meeting with Gee.

Last night shamed Colley, of Burntwood, Staffs, was in hiding and believed to be staying with friends on the south coast.

At the time of his "illness" he refused to comment but earlier this season broke his silence. Maintaining the lie, he claimed he had had chemotherapy 48 hours before the final.

And he said he got through the game - shown on national TV - with his "dignity intact".

Last month Colley refused to set a target for his return to the club, saying: "I can't put a time on this illness."

r.chaytor@ mirror.co.uk

CAPTION(S):

DUPED: Tamworth FC fans, who raised cash for hoaxer Colley, support their team at a home game; IN HIDING: Shamed Colley