A former Premier League goalkeeper has been diagnosed with two terminal illnesses and is currently undergoing palliative treatment. Russell Hoult’s family has verified that the former Leicester City, Derby County, and West Brom player is suffering from primary sclerosing cholangitis and stage four bile duct cancer.
Hoult played in England’s top flight for seven seasons, accumulating 141 matches. The 52-year-old was named to the 2001/02 First Division PFA Team of the Year after assisting Portsmouth in their promotion to the Premier League. He also spent time in the Football League with Lincoln City, Blackpool, Bolton Wanderers, Nottingham Forest, Stoke City, Notts County, Darlington, and Hereford United.
After a 20-year playing career, Hoult transitioned to coaching, first as a goalkeeping coach for Hereford United and later as club president and manager of Thringstone Miners Welfare.
Hoult is receiving palliative care, with a Just Giving page set up in his honour.
Away from sports, Hoult is a dedicated father of two, and his children have been fundraising in his honor as they prepare to run the Leicester Half Marathon on October 26. Kayleigh, 24, wrote on a Just Giving site for her father:
“We were told that both diagnoses were fatal, and Dad is now getting palliative care, which is extremely difficult for us as a family to accept.
“Our dad meant everything to us. His bravery, courage, and sense of humour have never wavered, even in the face of such daunting obstacles. We want to do something constructive, not just to support him, but also to aid others suffering from the same sickness.”
Away from sports, Hoult is a dedicated father of two, and his children have been fundraising in his honor as they prepare to run the Leicester Half Marathon on October 26. Kayleigh, 24, wrote on a Just Giving site for her father:
“We were told that both diagnoses were fatal, and Dad is now getting palliative care, which is extremely difficult for us as a family to accept.
“Our dad meant everything to us. His bravery, courage, and sense of humour have never wavered, even in the face of such daunting obstacles. We want to do something constructive, not just to support him, but also to aid others suffering from the same sickness.”
Along with their twin brother, Carter, the brothers have now raised over £6,000 from 317 donations in support of AMMF – The Cholangiocarcinoma Charity, the UK’s only charity committed to promoting awareness and supporting important research into cholangiocarcinoma [bile duct cancer].
“On the day it is going to be a whirlwind of emotions and it will be tough but we will make sure we make it over the finish line for our dad and for this amazing charity,” Kayleigh told the BBC prior to the race.
“His life was football,” she explained. “He played in the Premier League with West Bromwich Albion for seven seasons, where he appeared in over 200 games and helped the club earn promotion twice in 2002 and 2004. He is a character that never takes life seriously; he has both good and bad days, but he never gives up. He is a warrior, and this helps our family stay strong as well. “If he can play golf, he will.”
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