Ex-Bull diagnosed with cancer for second time

Eliot Richards

Former Hereford midfielder Eliot Richards has been diagnosed with cancer for a second time.

Richards, 34, has been playing for Barry Town United in the Cymru Premier under ex-Hereford assistant manager Steve Jenkins.

But in a heartbreaking post on social media, Richards said: "I want to share something difficult. I recently received the news that I have been diagnosed with cancer.

"Unfortunately, this kind of news isn't new to me and will be the second time I have heard those words.

"While this news is extremely difficult to come to terms with, I'm approaching it with strength, hope, with the support of my family and friends around me.

"Unfortunately, under the current circumstances it's brings my current season at Barry Town to an early stop and I'm devastated to realise possibly this might mean that my playing days have also been stolen from me too.

"I'd like to thank the club for their trust in me as a player during my time at Barry Town and I only wish the boys and staff all the best for the remainder of the season."

In 2015, Richards was diagnosed with testicular cancer.

He began his career at Bristol Rovers and joined Cheltenham in February 2015 after being released by League Two rivals Tranmere.

After joining Weston-Super-Mare and then Merthyr, Richards arrived at Edgar Street in 2017 and made more than 60 appearances for the Bulls.

He then left to rejoin Merthyr, reportedly due to budget constraints at Hereford in 2019, and has since featured for Barnet, Pontypridd United, Penybont and Barry Town United.