Horton: You think you're invincible, but I certainly wasn’t

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Former midfielder and manager discusses prostate cancer diagnosis.

Luke Nicoli

2024-11-14T06:00+00:00

Brian Horton speaks to Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola. 📷 by Paul Hazlewood.

Brian Horton has hailed the success of Prostate United, the biggest grassroots football fundraiser in the UK.

Diagnosed with prostate cancer in May 2023, he went public with his story almost a year ago and has since seen fans of his previous clubs, not to mention the wider football family, sign up for the annual football fundraiser, Prostate United.

This year, football club staff and fans have raised more than £250,000, meaning since 2018, over £800,000 has been raised for Prostate Cancer UK.

Prostate United has seen over 60 football clubs – both professional and non-league – get involved to save men’s lives. Brighton have helped raise over £550 for Prostate Cancer UK in 2024, while some of their players have posed in this year’s Prostate United shirt.

Solly March, Lewis Dunk and Ferdi Kadioglu model the Prostate Cancer UK shirt. 📷 by Paul Hazlewood.

“It’s over a year since I started my treatment, and I’m feeling good and keeping busy,” Brian said. “It’s been great to talk about my story in the past year too, and I was so humbled by the response from the football community, including so many of my former clubs as a coach and player. I’m so glad to hear its helped people as well. That was always my aim throughout this, and I’ll continue to spread the word the best I can.

“Until this happened, I didn’t know anything at all about prostate cancer; I never dreamed I’d be affected. I had no symptoms at all, and that’s what I say to people now; please don’t wait to feel something, take ownership of your health and understand the risks of this disease. That’s why working alongside Prostate Cancer UK has been so rewarding for me.

“It’s also great to see the charity’s continued work in football, including the Prostate United fundraiser. Money raised will help the charity fund better testing and treatments for this disease, to help men and their loved ones, like me.”

Horton’s diagnosis came after he took part in an annual health check-up last April as part of his long-term affiliation with the League Managers’ Association – and the results flagged up the disease a month later.

Brian Horton alongside Alan Mullery. 📷 by Paul Hazlewood.

“I remain hugely grateful and thankful to the LMA for the work they do as they are saving lives,” said Brian, who reserved special praise for Dr Sally Harris who oversaw the check-up and initially flagged the potential danger of prostate cancer. “Probably in our era, you think you are okay, you think you are invincible. But I certainly wasn’t.”

Horton has completed a course of radiotherapy, and now has a hormone injection every eight weeks. “There are a few aside effects. I do get tired and can get hot flushes, but that’s mainly when I have a drink. But I still feel as fit as I anyone.

“Cancer is such a big word, isn’t it? A word that everybody dreads. The biggest thing you think about straight away is your family and telling them. But I’m completely committed to talking about this, telling my story and making men more aware of the risk of prostate cancer. That will hopefully ensure others aren’t walking around unaware.”

Horton’s update comes as Prostate Cancer UK launch a campaign this autumn to highlight the issue that 1 in 8 men are diagnosed with the disease, and that too many are being diagnosed by chance, often when it has spread and become harder to treat.

Supported by Stephen Fry, the leading men’s health charity is encouraging everyone to play their part in stopping this by donating to support life-saving research.