EMLYN: MY CANCER FIGHT.

Byline: WILL BACHELOR

SOCCER hero Emlyn Hughes spoke yesterday of his fight for life after doctors discovered he had a brain tumour.

The England and Liverpool legend had emergency surgery last month after collapsing at his South Yorkshire home.

Most of the tumour was removed and he is starting a course of radio- therapy today.

Father-of-two Hughes, 55, said he was unsure what the future held but vowed to battle the illness.

He added: "I will fight this. At the moment the doctors cannot say what will happen in the future but they are doing their best.

"It all came as a massive shock and my family have really supported me and kept me going.

"There is no point in being down about the situation and I will keep on being happy and trying to get better."

Hughes, who also achieved massive popularity as a team captain on BBC quiz A Question Of Sport for 10 years, spent a week in hospital after the operation.

Speaking at his home near Sheffield, where he lives with his wife Barbara, Hughes praised hospital staff. He told the Liverpool Echo: "The doctors and nurses have been fantastic. Whatever NHS staff are paid should be increased 10 times over.

"I am in good hands and they have told me to try to live my life as normally as possible."

Racing fan Hughes plans to continue enjoying days out at the track, meals with his family and the occasional pint.

He said: "I know I am ill and have to watch what I do and I do take the doctors' advice.

"It is nice to be out and about and everyone just wants to know how I'm feeling, which is great."

Hughes signed for Wolverhampton Wanderers in 1979 before becoming a player-manager at Rotherham United.

During his career he won 62 England caps, captained his country 23 times and won two European Cups and five league championship medals.

He was named Footballer of the Year in 1977.

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BATTLE: Hughes