Nick Anderton means a lot to everyone connected with Bristol Rovers, but particularly club captain and his former housemate Paul Coutts.
That was evident at The Quarters on Thursday when he sat down for a pre-match press conference, not wearing his own number 15 training top but the number 16 worn by his cancer-stricken teammate.
The 26-year-old, an important member of Rovers' promotion-winning squad last season, is undergoing chemotherapy after being diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer, osteosarcoma, in the summer. He had an operation to remove a tumour and part of his femur in October, but a biopsy found the cancer was more aggressive than first thought, making chemotherapy a necessity.
Throughout his ordeal, Anderton has felt the support of his teammates and supporters, but never more than at this moment. Coutts, with a huge helping hand from head of media Andy Downie, is responsible for the initiative which will see Rovers' players and staff shave their heads on Monday to raise money for Anderton – who welcomed his second child into the world this week – and his young family.
More than 1,000 people have donated to the fund, raising £22,000 so far and that huge total will rise ever higher when the Gas brave the shave next week.
Captain Coutts says Rovers want to do everything they can to help their teammate in his time of need.
"I lived with Nick last year," he said. "I didn’t know him before we moved in and we grew close.
"His world has been turned upside down. He’s just had a new baby boy born, so it’s tough times for him and his family and we’re just trying to rally around and support him as much as we can.
"The club has been great with him, the lads are always in touch with him and I speak to him every day. He’s just a great guy and he’s great to have around the place and it’s just such a shame what has happened.
"Everything we can do to support him and his family, we’ll do."
Anderton's on-field contributions last season were significant, filling a number of defensive roles across 39 appearances and he scored three goals, including a winner at Harrogate Town in a crucial moment of the season.
But accounts from the dressing room suggest his off-field impact was greater. As one of the most popular members of the dressing room, he helped gel a squad that had seen significant upheaval from the moment he arrived in 2021.
Despite not being able to play a part on the pitch, Coutts says Anderton is still a pivotal member of the squad.
"He’s got one of those likeable personalities and he was probably the butt of most of the jokes if I’m honest," he said. "He took it in good spirits and he is one of those guys who is great to have around.
"We still get him on Facetime in the meetings and, even with what he’s going through now, he can lift the spirits of the group and give everyone a laugh. He takes everything light-heartedly and he’s such a great guy.
"His shirt is in the dressing room everywhere we go. We’ve got a flag up in the dressing room everywhere we go for him. He is mentioned in pretty much every team talk.
"What he would give to be out there, but he is with us all the way and he’s still playing his part. He’s still firing stupid stuff in the group chat and he’s happy to be out of the firing line of the gaffer sometimes."
Coutts believes a new-look Rovers team could benefit from an unexpected advantage.
"The first set piece will be interesting," he joked. "No one will know who they are marking when there are a load of bald fellas running in. Hopefully, it will cause a bit of confusion."
While everyone is delighted to show their support for Anderton, some are not too keen on the prospect of losing their prized locks. They have a tricky decision to make over the weekend.
"Once the gaffer said he was going to do it, it put the pressure on the staff," Coutts added. "We’ve got a bit of a joke going saying that you’re going to have to donate a week’s wages if you don’t shave your head, so that’s got them wondering what they value more, their wages or their hair. We’ll find out."
In keeping with Anderton's charming nature, there is an element of humour to the initiative, but underpinning it all is a brutal reality.
"Obviously, everyone thinks football is glitz and glamour but actually, by the time you’re 35 you stop earning," Coutts explained. "It is the reverse of the normal cycle of how people go through their careers and build up and start earning more money as they get older.
"Football goes the other way, so Nick was about to enter his prime years and his bigger contracts were down the road for him and like that, it’s all up in the air. It’s such a shame."
Not only is Coutts proud of his friend for his bravery, but the past week has been another reminder of the club he represents and what it stands for.
"It was an honour to wear the armband anyway, but when you see the reaction when one of ours is suffering… The response from the fans has been amazing," the captain concluded.
People who wish to contribute to the fundraiser can donate HERE.
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