The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Talented Arran kept his eye on the ball during cancer battle
Football: Dundee United Academy star, 14, says the beautiful game helped him through treatment
A rising star at Dundee United Academy has shown cancer the red card.
Last year, 14-year-old Arran Leiper was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer called Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH).
But he is now free from the disease after surgery and chemotherapy.
And, having kept turning up to training throughout his treatment, he believes football helped him cope.
“I did as much as I could but I did have to miss a few sessions,” said Arran, of Broughty Ferry.
He added: “The first thing I thought when I got the all clear was I’m going to get fitter and play more football because that’s what I want to do.”
Having started playing football with Ferry Athletic, Arran joined the academy at Tannadice aged just six.
“I was born into a footballing family. I had no choice in that one,” he joked.
Arran’s tumour was about the size of his hand and located in his cranial cavity.
But amazingly the Grove Academy pupil had few symptoms apart from a puffy eye.
Dad Malcolm, 42, who is a Tannadice season ticket holder, said: “Football helped him focus and come through it.
“He also managed to keep up with his schoolwork throughout.”
Malcolm thanked academy manager Brian Grant and Arran’s coaches for “allowing Arran to continue being normal” through his cancer fight.
And he said staff at Ninewells, where Arran was treated, had been “brilliant”.
Arran was recently presented with the academy recognition award.
Brian, who nominated him, said: “Arran would come into training with a smile on his face and never moaned.
“He showed great commitment and his attitude was spot on.”
Both Arran’s parents are Arabs fans and footballing is in the blood.
His mum Gill Stewart, 37, played for Dundee United’s girls team and her late father Eddie was chairman of Tayport FC for four decades.
The first thing I thought when I got the all clear was I’m going to get fitter and play more football because that’s what I want to do. ARRAN LEIPER