Club devotee and former first team captain Roger Hobson has been diagnosed with the devastating disease and his friends wanted to show they are right behind him.

So rather than opt for the more traditional tea and sympathy, the lads decided to have their heads shaved after learning that Roger, aged 44, will lose his hair during chemotherapy.

The money raised at the sponsored shearing will be given to Weston Park Cancer Hospital in Sheffield where Robert, from Frecheville, is about to start his first course of chemo.

His sister Melanie Watkinson said: "Roger first started having trouble with his eyes in April and went to see a specialist. They thought he had a melanoma but further tests revealed he actually has some kind of carcinoma, but they are yet to find the source.

"He has secondary cancer in his bones, liver and his lung lining but they are still trying to track down the primary source."

Dad and grandad-of-two Roger, father to 17-year-old Nicolle and 22-year-old Jennie, said he was "touched" by his team mates' support.

And he has been overwhelmed by the response - with team members who were on holiday at the time of the first shave still keen to go under the razor.

Melanie, who says the family has been involved with the club "since birth", said: " It is wonderful that so many people turned out in support of Roger and Weston Park."

She estimates they have raised £2,500 for the hospital.

n For more photographs of the head shave visit thestar.co.uk/pictures

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