A FORMER Silsden striker has urged men to carry out regular checks after being diagnosed with testicular cancer.

Nick McNally, 30, revealed he was diagnosed with the condition earlier this month and is now looking to raise awareness to others.

After a spell with Danny Forrest's side, he now lines up for Colne in the Evo-Stik League West Division, for whom he has played four times, scoring one goal, this season.

In a an article on Colne's website, McNally said: "If you have the slightest doubt get checked.

"Early last month I was diagnosed with testicular cancer. Now I want everyone to know what I have been through to raise awareness.

"Believe me, in this last month I have cried and watched everyone of my family cry in front of me. The reason I’m telling you this is because of how it all came about.

"My wife told me about an article she had read about some guy who had a vasectomy and it had somehow not worked so she wanted me to go get it checked.

"Whilst I most definitely argued there was no doubt it hadn’t worked, my wife was insistent, she didn’t want to take the risk and booked the appointment as she said there was no way she was having any more morning sickness after four children.

I reluctantly agreed to go to keep her happy."

McNally continued he was sent for an emergency appointment at hospital after seeing his doctor.

He continued: "That was the day my whole outlook in life changed. The Big C bomb was dropped and my life changed from that moment on.

"Cancer?? I could not believe what I was hearing. I am a young, fit and healthy 30-year-old with my whole life ahead of me and now I had cancer.

"Still in the back of my mind I was always thinking, I have cancer. I cannot explain the feeling and how difficult I found accepting it.

"The next hurdle I had to overcome was the results of my CT scan and blood results, it really was just a waiting game.

"With the results back I didn’t know how I felt. Then the results. I felt like the luckiest man alive to be told the cancer hadn’t spread, they had got it early enough and the whole tumour was removed during the operation.

"I’m now on observation for the next five years and yet I feel lucky.

"This is just one story where a young father, family man had the best possible outcome. Some are not so lucky and I want to share my story to spread that awareness.

If you have the slightest doubt get checked. Imagine if I had just left it because I thought I knew best.

"I now look forward to getting back on track and if all you do is check yourself once you have read this, I’ve done my job."