Geoff Horsfield – currently unattached

Geoff Horsfield has fought off the threat of testicular cancer and is now looking for a return to football. The 35-year-old has been offered the opportunity to train with Lincoln up to Christmas to increase his fitness and potentially win a contract at Sincil Bank.

However, Horsfield is happy to be even contemplating a return to football after his whole world collapsed two months ago when he was diagnosed with testicular cancer. He was training with Walsall at the time after being released by Sheffield United in the summer but swiftly announced his retirement as he prepared to fight the disease.

But a successful operation negated the need for chemotherapy or radiotherapy and the former Fulham, Birmingham, Wigan, West Bromwich Albion, Sheffield United, Leeds United, Scunthorpe United and Leicester City centre forward is itching for a return to football.

However, he has a pedigree in the non-league having won the Conference with Halifax Town and hasn’t ruled out a return to his roots. In fact, as givemefootball’s Ian Clarkson discovered in an exclusive interview with Horsfield, he will play at any level in order to kick-start his playing or launch his coaching career.

HOW ARE YOU FEELING NOW?

I am feeling good. I didn’t have to have chemotherapy or radiotherapy as it was caught at such an early stage. I was fortunate as it didn’t invade any blood cells but it was only a matter of days away and there was also a concern because after a CT scan they found a speck on my lung. However, I was told not to worry as it wasn’t a form of secondary cancer but just a foreign body and this means that I can now get on with my life.

YOU HAD ANNOUNCED YOUR RETIREMENT WHEN YOU WERE DIAGNOSED WITH TESTICULAR CANCER – I TAKE IT THAT HAS NOW CHANGED?

I said I would retire as I wasn’t tied down to a contract at that time and was just training with Walsall but maybe I was a bit hasty. The operation I have had felt a little bit worse than a double hernia I have had before. Basically a blood clot was removed from my stomach and testicle. I was told to rest for two weeks but after just two days I was bored senseless and was out shopping and playing snooker. However, I did too much too soon and my scrotum was aching and the left hand side was like a tennis ball so I had to spend two weeks on the settee to recuperate.

WAS THIS WHEN YOU REALISED YOU WANTED TO RETURN TO FOOTBALL?

I was just sitting watching television and really bored but it was on Saturday afternoons when I watched Soccer Saturday that it really hit home. I really missed being involved on a Saturday afternoon as it is something I have done for the past 20 years and want to get back into it. I was 35 in November and believe I still have plenty to offer.

WOULD YOU CONSIDER DROPPING INTO NON-LEAGUE IF NOTHING TRANSPIRED AT LINCOLN?

I am training with Lincoln as I know Peter Jackson from my days at Halifax and we will see what happens here. I won the Conference with Halifax and also played for teams such as Witton Albion, Guiseley and Athersley Rec so I have plenty of experience of the non-league. I am starting my coaching badges in January and if nothing happens at Lincoln and I was offered the role of a player-coach then as long as it is a realistic offer I would take it.

CAN WE EXPECT TO SEE YOU BACK IN FOOTBALL FOR MANY YEARS TO COME?

I have got lots of friends in football and have kept in touch with almost all of my former mangers so hopefully I can ask for advice and I know have plenty to offer. I have played and scored at every level from the Conference through to the Premier League and I am fighting fit again.