Blackpool FC legend Armfield diagnosed with cancer for second time

But the 81-year-old legend, who is about to complete a a course of daily radiotherapy, is optimistic and upbeat over the outcome.

Armfield, who previously received successful treatment for Non-Hodgkin lymphoma in 2007, would not go into precise details about the nature of his latest illness, but he said: “I had surgery at Clifton Hospital and I have been attending the Rosemere centre in Preston for daily treatment as a day patient.

“I finish the treatment this weekend and the consultant who I am seeing again seems confident. I think I am now through a lot of the difficult part and it is nowhere near as evasive as last time.

“I have had these health issues since the beginning of September, but I am better now than I have been for over a month. It is amazing how quickly medicine has moved on, and I am thankful for that.”

Armfield added: “I don’t feel poorly – I can get out and about, go shopping and go for a walk.”

The daily hospital treatment means that he was unable to attend a ceremony in London last night when he received the latest in a series of accolades for his services to football, as player, coach, manager, journalist and radio pundit over the best part of seven decades.

Armfield was named global football ambassador at the Football Business Awards ceremony at the Emirates Stadium, home of Arsenal FC.

The award was presented by Jonathan Wall, Controller Of BBC Radio Five Live, for whom Armfield has worked since it first went on air.

Such recognition reflects outstanding service to the game and accepting the prize on Armfield’s behalf was Jim Hicks, head of coaching at the Professional Footballers Association. The only two footballers to achieve the award before were Sir Bobby Charlton and Sir Trevor Brooking.

Disappointed not to attend because of the completion of his treatment, Armfield said: “Bobby and Trevor are not a bad two to follow!

“The award came out of the blue and I had no idea I was going to receive it and I am grateful. It is disappointing that I can’t go, but there is nothing I can do about that. Your health is important, particularly at my age.”