BUDE Town AFC will host a charity football match on Wednesday, November 13 to raise funds for the ongoing cancer treatment for player Gary Clarke (7.30pm).

Clarke, who is equally at home as a targetman striker or further back the field, fell ill in mid-September with one of the rarest forms of cancer – Pseudomyxoma Peritonei – a condition that affects just one person per one million and can affect your appendix, abdominal cavity lining (the peritoneum) and stomach.

Thankfully for Gary, the operation went well and has started his recovery at home with his family.

Bude Town first team manager Steve Hackett explains what happened.

He said: “Gary had played five or six games since coming back and he knew something wasn’t quite right.

“He complained that he had a few aches and pains around his groin and pelvis area.

“We said to him do you want to play on or take a week or two off, but he just said: “I’ll take a couple of Ibuprofens and carry on.

“But it came to a head before we went to Liskeard in mid-September. Gary messaged on the afternoon of the game, which is very unlike him, saying he had pulled his back at work.

“Next thing we know he’d been rushed off to hospital and it all started to happen and we then realised just how serious this is.

“He was taken to Basingstoke and operated on for around ten hours and thankfully, although it’s going to be a long road, he appears to be on the mend.”

Hackett and club officials then came up with a plan, a match which will see Bude take on his hometown club Bradworthy, with all proceeds going to Gary’s treatment.

Talking on Friday, Hackett said: “Gary’s got a wife – Lauren – and two young children, so it’s not going to be an easy situation to work through.

“He’s only 34 so it was a case of what we could do and we came up with the charity game.

“To begin with we probably thought we may raise around £1,000, but it’s just kept escalating and escalating, mainly through the Just Giving Page.

“At the moment it’s about £8,400, which includes £500 from the South West Peninsula League Benevolent Fund which we are so grateful for, and with another five days to go before the big day, hopefully it’ll go up and up.

“The amount of kindness and generosity from players who have played with or against Gary and clubs he’s represented or played against has been absolutely mindblowing, and that says a lot about Gary and the warrior he is.

“He’s a manager’s dream in that he’s so committed and always gives 100%, and a nightmare to play against, which is what you want. He has a big impact on those around him so I’m not surprised about the support he’s received.”

Hackett expects the ground to be packed with gates opening at 6pm and entry for all ages set at £5.

He said: “The game itself sees Bradworthy’s current side and a few ex-Bradworthy team mates against Bude and we have a squad of about 25 at the moment as everyone wants to play.

“His sons Harry and Elliott will be the two mascots and his brother Lee will be playing for Bradworthy.”

Before the evening, the club are holding a raffle with bids closing at 8pm this Saturday (November 10), while there will also be a raffle on the evening.

To keep up to date with everything before the big night, search ‘Bude Town Football Club’ on Facebook or visit https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/steve-hackett