Jordan hopes to climb up the football ladder again

FOR all of his teenage years and early adult life, Jordan Moore wanted to be a full-time professional footballer, playing at the highest level possible.

He was on the road to achieving his goals and had signed for Dundee United. He moved to the city and shared digs with Ryan Gauld, John Souttar and Andrew Robertson.

But, in January, 2014, his life was turned upside down when he was diagnosed with skin cancer.

He knew then the dreams of playing at the top would be unlikely to happen and he put all of his efforts into beating the killer illness. Thankfully, he has won that battle and leads a normal and healthy life.

He has been able to play football again and was with Queen’s Park and Limerick after being released by United.

He has just finished this season with junior side Kelty Hearts.

Football will always be at the forefront of his mind but no longer a priority.

The likeable 23- year- old is putting his energy into focusing on the next stage of his life and future employment.

He thought of the police or the navy but now thinks he may go down the road of helping people who have suffered serious illness in their lives.

Moore told the Sunday Post: “I’ve been clear for more than two years. My health is good. But I feel a little bit cheated because I may well have had a shot at having a proper career in full-time football.

“I was with Dundee United and then I was diagnosed with cancer. United’s management – Jackie McNamara, Simon Donnelly and Darren Jackson – all felt I had a chance.

“I also had a loan spell at Dunfermline and Jim Jefferies wanted to extend it.

“But it was always going to be difficult to reach the next level after the cancer.

“I’ve played with Kelty Juniors and really enjoyed my football. I was playing just off the striker. I’ve evolved from being a target man up front! They have a really good setup and some good players.

“I’m only 23, so, in time, I’d like to get back into professional football. I think I’d be able to play in League 1 or League 2. I’ve played in the Scottish Premiership and Championship.

“But I also need to find a career path outside of football. I don’t want to be known as ‘the boy who had cancer’. I don’t want that to be my story. I’m not comfortable with that.

“I want to be known for something else, whether that’s football or another job.

“I had melanoma. I had a mole and then they removed that. But it came back quite aggressively. I had skin grafts and 80 lymph nodes removed. I have been left heavily scarred.

“When it came back the third time the doctors warned me it could go into my spine and that meant I would have been unlikely to walk again.

“Thankfully, it didn’t rear itself in my spine. I didn’t want to spend my days in a wheelchair. So, I jog every day . . . it gives me a feeling of freedom.

“I do a bit of work for different cancer charities. I’m involved in a fundraising dinner to raise money for Teenage Cancer Trust later this year. I enjoy helping people and it’s good speaking to people who have been through a similar battle. It’s helpful and encouraging for them to speak to me if they are going through it. They look at me and see I’ve recovered.”