Former Newcastle owner Sir John Hall has revealed he is suffering from incurable prostate cancer.
Former Magpies owner reveals promotion lift
Former Newcastle owner Sir John Hall has revealed he is suffering from incurable prostate cancer.
The 77-year-old was at the helm of the St James' Park outfit during Kevin Keegan's first stint as manager, when the likes of David Ginola, Alan Shearer and Les Ferdinand helped the club challenge for the league title.
Hall also took control of the city's rugby union team, the Falcons, during the mid to late 1990s, seeing them win the Premiership title in 1998.
He told
The Chronicle: "I just went for a routine test and found out I had aggressive prostate cancer.
"Since then I've just been trying to come to terms with it. I will need to go in for treatment. I'll be having radiotherapy.
"I've been in for X-rays on the cancer ward and had it confirmed. It's another battle I'm going to fight. They can't cure it, all they can do is try and slow it down."
Huge lift
Hall also expressed his delight at seeing the Magpies secure an immediate return to the Premier League on Easter Monday, with their elevation confirmed by Nottingham Forest's draw with Cardiff ahead of their victory against Sheffield United.
"The promotion is great news. I'm delighted for the team, delighted," he said.
"I went on Monday and watched them get promotion. It took me back to Grimsby, when we won promotion there. It was a great moment.
"Monday night took away some of the hardship I've felt since I was told about the cancer. It gave me a lift because I'm just a Newcastle fan at heart. It gave me a huge lift after having a tough time.
"I want to be around to see them back in the Premier League now."
