Spreading word is latest goal for Jim

In a rollercoaster, trophy-laden football career, Jim Leighton won 91 Scotland caps, played at three World Cups, and famously had to fight his way back to the top of the game after being cruelly dropped for an FA Cup final replay and then frozen out of the Manchester United first team.

Fans of a certain age will recall his manof-the-match performance against Sweden en route to France 98 on a day when his agility, determination and raw courage helped the nation to a famous 1-0 victory.

But the battle the Gothenburg Great has gone through over the past 18 months has surely been the most challenging and testing of his life.

Diagnosed with prostate cancer after being urged to get a check-up by former

Dons teammate Willie

Garner, the 62-yearold has undergone radiotherapy and hormone treatment and is now not only on the mend but also helping northeast charity Ucan raise awareness of urological cancers.

For such an intensely private man, speaking publicly about his condition would not have been easy, but it is typical of the bravery he showed throughout his football career.

It’s quite a while now since he retired from saving goals, but given that prostate is the most common form of cancer among Scottish men, by spreading the Ucan word the Pittodrie legend is most definitely helping to save lives.

“The battle he has gone through over the past 18 months has surely been the most challenging of his life”