Footballer (31) loses his brave fight with leukaemia

May 28 2009 by Andrew McGilvray, Hamilton Advertiser

TRIBUTES have been paid to Royal Albert striker John McMillan who last week lost his battle with leukaemia.

The 31-year-old Hamilton man, known simply as ‘Wee John’, was diagnosed with leukaemia two years ago and, after treatment, thought he had beat the disease.

John underwent pre-season training with Royal Albert but started feeling tired and lethargic at the start of the season, and surgeons confirmed that the leukaemia had returned.

In October they told him there was nothing more they could do and John was given until Christmas, but bravely battled on.

Royal Albert secretary Peter Higgins (51) said John’s death was a massive blow to the club.

Peter said: “It’s a real tragedy. John was a nice guy, the kind that got on with everybody, and nobody had a bad word to say about him.

“He came in to help us out in the last game of the 2007-08 season, scored against Greenock, and was looking forward to this season but unfortunately it wasn’t to be.

“He still came to watch most of the home games, attended training and played the occasional game of five-a-side, but he wasn’t able to continue.

“He was known as ‘Wee John’ and people were always asking how he was doing.

“The last time I spoke to him was two, maybe three weeks ago, and he was starting to feel drained all the time. He was finding it really difficult to get out and about.

“One of the players who knows him really well, Mark Reid, said he was going downhill fast, and we heard last Thursday that John had passed away.”

Peter added: “I’ve known John since he was 17. The two of us and Ross Steven are the longest serving committee men, but as a whole this will be felt right through the club.

“There are a lot of younger players at the club and John was great with them. His death is a big loss to everybody at the club.”

Manager Iain McCluskie commented: “I played alongside John at Stonehouse Violet and when I became manager at Albert I asked him along to come and play with us.

“He was a nice lad and will be sadly missed.”

John McMillan’s funeral will take place at Priestfield Cemetery, Blantyre, on Friday at 12.30pm.

Larkhall Royal Albert cancelled a fundraising race night and dinner as a mark of respect.