'I was given six months to live. Football's my life': Popular ex-Portsmouth coach returns to game hours after conquering cancer

Louis Bell had his bladder and prostate removed having been diagnosed with the disease three times since April 2019.

Last October he was given six months to live – but the 60-year-old has battled back.

On Friday he was informed the cancer hasn’t returned and wouldn’t need to attend a check-out for another 12 months.

Coincidentally, just three hours later, Bell received a phone call from Paulsgrove commercial manager Macer Corcoran offering him a footballing comeback as assistant manager..

And the following day, the former Moneyfields and Baffins Milton Rovers boss was back in the dug-out helping Johnny Willett at the Hampshire Premier League Senior Division club.

Bell told The News: ‘The passion for football has never left me, it never will. It’s my life – and now I’m feeling that excitement again.

‘Doctors were concerned the cancer had come back and gone into my pancreas, but thankfully it hasn’t. It hasn’t grown and is non-malignant.

‘I had the all-clear on Friday morning, which is obviously a big weight off my mind, then three hours later Macer called and mentioned how he was trying to give it a go at Paulsgrove and did I want to join.

‘It took me two seconds to decide and I was there the following day for their match with Denmead.

‘I’m going up there to help out where I can, to put a couple of sessions on hopefully, impart some information, and get a few players in.

‘Johnny is the manager and picks the team, if he wants advice I am willing to give it to him.

‘The way I have been feeling, I can’t run around like I used to and will be restricted to doing things, I have my colostomy bag, so any way I can help, then I will.’

Paulsgrove lost 4-2 to leaders Denmead in Bell’s first match, with Clayton Stafford bagging a hat-trick for the league leaders.

This weekend they face Harvest on the Front Lawn 3G – although a prior engagement means the former Pompey Centre of Excellence coach will not be involved.

Bell added: ‘I'm off to Tenerife on Saturday morning for six days as a celebration to myself.

‘It has been tough, but football has given me a bit of purpose now and I’m looking forward to seeing what we can achieve at Paulsgrove.’