TRIBUTES have been paid to a former Chepstow footballer who lost a long battle with cancer this week.

Neil Bradford, 44, was well-known in Chepstow, playing football for Tidenham, Woolaston and Chepstow before moving to Cincinnati in 2001.

In March 2010 Neil was diagnosed with colon cancer. After months of chemotherapy he was given the all clear in 2012, but the cancer returned in 2014 and Neil lost his battle on 30th August.

A left sided midfielder, Neil played for Tidenham and Woolaston at a young age, before being picked up by Bristol City and Southampton but returning due to homesickness. He played locally for a number of football sides, including Chepstow Town and Caldicot Town. In addition to football he was also a county runner and was a talented rugby player.

He moved to the USA in 2001, where he was a well-known and loved soccer coach. He met Susan his wife and they have a seven-year-old daughter Madison.

In 2014 a fundraising page was created, aiming to help Neil and his family cope with some of the financial burdens his family faced throughout his procedures.

The fundraising page raised more than $16,000 for the family.

Such was Neil’s reputation that USA national team player Rose Lavelle wore the number eight shirt in memory of him at a college soccer game on 1st September.

A minute’s silence was also held for Neil at Chepstow Town’s game against Trethomas Bluebirds on Saturday 3rd September.

Matthew Pinchard played with and against Neil before he left for the USA, and now is a junior section co-ordinator at Chepstow Town Football Club. He told the Beacon Neil was “one of the good guys”.

“I was very lucky to have a couple of seasons playing with Neil,” he said.

“I played against him quite a few times as an opposition player, had so much respect for him.

“He was one of the very best players in the area, he was always picked in the inter-league sides.

“He was one of those guys who would make everyone smile when he came in the room - he was one of the good guys.”

A statement on Chepstow Town Football Club’s Facebook page read: “Everyone at Chepstow Town would like to pass their condolences to the friends and family of Neil Bradford who tragically lost his battle with cancer.

“Neil played for Chepstow for a number of years and will be remembered as a talented footballer who was always smiling.”