Running in memory of footballer Adam Cheetham

Adam Cheetham was just 27 when he passed away after a battle with cancer in December 2009.

The striker was a regular among the goals for the Seasiders and now three family members and a former team-mate are getting ready to do their bit to thank Macmillan Cancer Support for all they did for him.

Adam’s older brother Andy is among those taking part in the Edinburgh Half Marathon in May.

He said: “Adam had had the all-clear in October 2008.

“He had melanoma on the skin and had been operated on and undergone radiotherapy and was given the all-clear, which was fantastic news.

“When it came back, it surprised everybody.”

Adam, who worked as a postman, was diagnosed with cancer again in July 2009 before passing away less than six months later.

Andy, who works as a pensions manager, said his brother had been suffering from a crippling headache when he realised something was not right while he was out one day.

Andy said: “He was trying to cross a road and could not see.

“His eyesight came back but, from that point onwards, things got progressively worse. It was interfering with different parts of his body.”

It was then discovered that the cancer was in his brain and bones, while the disease also attacked his legs, leaving him unable to walk.

Andy, 42, will be joined in Edinburgh by wife Caroline, 39, and brother Mark, also 39.

Completing the quartet is fellow former footballer Steven Girdwood, who spent a decade playing for the New Countess Park side before hanging up his boots last season.

Andy, who lives in Leeds, highlighted the importance of Macmillan Cancer Support not only to Adam but also to the family and others undergoing cancer treatment.

He said: “What we are doing is in his memory but not the reason we are doing it.

“It is another opportunity for us as a family to remember him and also throw a few shekels Macmillan’s way.”

Some of Adam’s family still live in Dunbar having moved north of the Border in 1999.

Adam, who lived on Brunt Place, would go on to star up front for West Barns Star and then Dunbar United.

Andy said: “He was never shy of a headline.

“He could do without the necessary evils of the defending and running about. He preferred to get the plaudits for his goalscoring and his record is fantastic.”

Geoff Jones, current Dunbar United manager, played alongside Adam and wished the quartet the best of luck in the Capital.

He said: “Adam was a character with an infectious personality – he was my friend and I miss him greatly.

“As a team mate my (and Steven Girdwood’s) Saturday nights were normally spent celebrating with him if he’d notched a goal that afternoon, or commiserating with him if he had not – he loved playing and scoring goals.

“We were team-mates in what was very much a transition period at Dunbar United and I wish he’d been part of the club that won the league last year as he deserved to be part of our success.

“He was a cracking footballer but the highest compliment I can pay him was that he was a gentleman who didn’t have a bad bone in his body.

“It’s great that Adam’s memory lives on through fundraising for charity and on behalf of Dunbar United I’d like to wish Andy, Caroline, Mark and Girdy the best of luck for the run in May.”

To make a donation, go to justgiving.com/fundraising/andy-cheetham3