Wrexham defender Ben Tozer has shared the heartbreaking story of his dad tragically dying of leukaemia just 48 hours after being diagnosed.
Tozer, a pillar of Wrexham's promotion-winning team last season, learned on Saturday that dad Keith had been diagnosed with a form of cancer which was treatable. Requiring brain surgery on Sunday night, the operation "went positively" before "the unthinkable happened" only a day later.
In a heartbreaking post on Twitter, Tozer urged people not to leave it too late before being checked, as fans sent their condolences to him and his family. "On Saturday, I was told my Dad has Leukaemia but it's treatable," the former Cheltenham and Northampton centre-back, 33, wrote.
"On Sunday night, he required a brain operation, which went positively, then last night the unthinkable happened. Sadly, all of this happened because he left it too late. Unknowingly, he was masking the fact he was in complete agony. 'Go and get checked', we regularly said.
"He was just too scared of what it could be. Thank you, Dad. Our last words together will live with me forever. I love you. I hope we have all done you proud."
Tozer certainly did make his father proud on the pitch, helping Wrexham earn promotion back to the EFL as champions of the National League in April. The Dragons' triumph ended their 15-year wait to return to League Two, where Tozer has already won the title as captain of Cheltenham in 2021.
It was during that summer in which he waved goodbye to Gloucestershire after three years and 119 appearances, dropping two divisions to join Wrexham for an undisclosed fee after Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney purchased the club and invested millions. Tozer has been a stalwart for manager Phil Parkinson ever since and endeared himself to the Racecourse Ground faithful.
Following his emotional post, messages poured in from Wrexham supporters and fans of other clubs. "Gutted to read this this morning. Thinking of you and the family," the Twitter account for one of Wrexham's fan podcasts wrote, tagging Tozer's wife and mother of two children, Sophie.
"Sorry for your loss, I lost my mother in a similar timeframe and I know how you must be feeling," another fan of the Welsh side added. "Can't come up with the right words to say but our thoughts are with you and your family," a third posted.
Tozer, who often captains Wrexham and is renowned for his long throw-ins, will receive plenty of support from the stands when their new League Two season begins at home to MK Dons on Saturday, August 5. Before that, Parkinson's side are due to face Chelsea and Manchester United for star-studded pre-season friendlies in the United States.
"Playing for this club is so exciting at the moment, it's really on the up," Tozer recently told talkSPORT. "The stadium sells out every week, we won a trophy last year, we are hoping to emulate that again this season. It's on the up. All the noise around the club, whether you like it or you don't, it's exciting and positive. So it's a great place to be and I'm thankful I'm here."
If you or your loved ones have been affected by leukaemia, UK-based charity Leukaemia Care provides a freephone helpline on 08088 010 444 or you can email support@leukaemiacare.org.uk. More information on leukaemia can be found on the Leukaemia Care website.
