Ure a real battler!

TOP GUY . . . Liam Ure (centre) with brother Michael Ure and mum Catherine Butler

REGULAR readers of the 'Near Post' pages in the Chronicle will be familiar with the weekly 'Player Profile' piece, whereby a player from local amateur football is asked a series of questions to provide a picture of their character.

The last question I ask is: What has been the best event in your life? The answer is usually along the lines of "Becoming a father", "Manchester City winning the title" or "Going away withthe lads."

So, imagine my reaction when I put the event question to Springhead Libs' Liam Ure, who answered "Beating cancer."

Twenty-year-old Liam was diagnosed with Lymphoblastoma at just two-and-a-half years of age and only completed a range of gruelling treatment and given the all clear when he was 18.

But such an ordeal has not deterred likeable Liam from carrying out an active and productive life.

Liam, who joined Oldham Sunday League club Libs earlier this season, said: "I had chemotherapy for three or four years when I was first diagnosed but those early days are all a bit of a blur to me.

"I do remember it interfered with my education but I wanted to be in school at the time. I went to Holy Rosary and St Augustine's schools and then to Oldham College where I studied for a National Diploma in Sport while I was still receiving treatment."

Liam, who will be 21-years of age in March, is currently studying for a degree in Sports and Exercise Science at the Oldham Campus and also works as a sales assistant with clothing and accessories company Trespass in Oldham town centre.

Liam said: "Long-term I am still deciding what to do for a living and to be honest I have no idea what I am going to do. I am hoping to get the degree with the Campus and find a job which matches my qualifications."

One thing that Liam is sure of is that his interrupted life has been a worrying time for his family.

His Mum, Catherine (52) said: "It was an awful experience but Liam never moaned about anything. The nurses used to fight amongst themselves to treat him because he was so good.

"It has been many years of worry but it was a massive relief when he was discharged completely.

"I just want him to get the things in life he needs and to get what he wants when he has finished at University."

As for football, Liam, who lives on Fitton Hill with his mum and brother Michael (24), also plays on Saturdays for the first team of AFC Oldham 2005 in the Lancashire and Cheshire League.

Springhead Libs' manager Jimmy Smith said: "Liam is a great lad and he's polite, reliable and honest. I wish he had been playing for me for years.

"He leads by example and is a dream to manage - hopefully he'll play for me for years to come."

But the last word goes to battler Liam: "I love playing for Libs because it feels like a team. As soon as I joined the club they made me feel welcome."