Children told of John Hartson's battle and Swans regret

FOOTBALL hero John Hartson returned to his former school to speak with pupils about his battle with cancer — and his regret at never having played for the Swans.

The former Wales international was invited back to Ysgol Gyfun Gwyr in Gowerton, where he was quizzed by pupils on his health, his career and his memories of the school.

Former footballer John Hartson during a visit to his old school, where he was interviewed by the children about his playing days, his fight with cancer and his new foundation.
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And as he revealed details of his fight against the disease, he also told pupils he would have loved to have played for his home town team — but the timing had never been right.

He said: "I feel very positive at the moment. I am getting back to normality, I'm working and I'm driving my car.

"I still have more to do in terms of operations, but I am feeling healthy. I've had some work on my brain, I think it is clear, but they have taken some scar tissue and will have to wait and see."

Despite a successful career, which took him to both Arsenal and Celtic, he revealed he had been unable to represent the school when he had been a pupil, because at the time it did not have a football team.

"I have been lucky in my career though, even though I would have liked to play for Swansea.

"When I was in my prime, I was playing in the Scottish and Premier League. At the time Swansea were in League Two, and without being disrespectful at all I was a better player than that level at the time.

"But when I grew older, and slower, and balder, and I decided to come home and retire, I tried to play for the Swans but (former manager Roberto) Martinez decided against it, and they won the league anyway and didn't need me."

His appearance in front of media studies pupils was filmed as part of a BBC schools project. Called the School Report, it provides pupils the chance to learn about journalism and create their own news report. The report featuring John Hartson is due to be uploaded to the school's site on Thursday.

Head of media studies Jan Ohlsson said: "It meant a lot to pupils for John to come back. He is a big football hero, and he answered their questions very honestly."

nino.williams@swwmedia.co.uk