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1 December 2009
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John Hartson

Born:	5 APR 1975
Place of Birth:	Swansea

Famous For: being one of the most feared strikers in Britain.

Biography: Former Wales and Celtic striker John Hartson, was an awesome goal scorer. His career saw him play for Luton, Arsenal, West Ham United and Coventry, before becoming a star for Celtic and Wales.

In February 2008 John Hartson announced his retirement from the game at the age of 32. He'd left West Brom just a month earlier after struggling with fitness and form. The club released him six months before his contract was due to run out.

His international career for Wales came to an unexpected close two years previously, when he announced he was to leave the Wales squad in order to concentrate on club football.

In July 2009 he was diagnosed with testicular cancer. The disease spread to his brain and lungs. He underwent surgery at Morriston Hospital in Swansea on Tuesday 14 July. On Monday 20 July his condition remained critical but stable.

Want to have your say on Hartson? Just scroll down the page and add your comments.

Brought up in Trallwn, Llansamlet, Welsh-speaking Hartson had football in his blood from the kick-off; his father Cyril played for Llanelli FC during the 1970's. John's childhood memories include going down to the Vetch with his mates to support the The Swans, always followed by pie and chips on the way home!

At the age of 17 the striker became a trainee at Luton and went on to play for six leading sides.

A £2.5 million move to Arsenal saw his early promise fulfilled, but Hartson was frozen out by the arrival of Denis Bergkamp - prompting a move to West Ham. Further controversy followed after a bust up with fellow team-mate Eyal Berkovic. He signed for Wimbledon in 1999, but sustained an injury during this period, making leading clubs, including Spurs and Rangers, wary of signing him.

A 'pay-as-play' move to Coventry enabled Hartson to prove his fitness, leading to a £6 million move to Celtic in 2001.

The striker was described as a 'revelation' at Celtic and regularly turned in the impressive performances which made him one of the most feared strikers in the UK. He remained a key fixture in the team until 2006, when a combination of personal matters and Gordon Straachan's re-moulding of the team saw moves begin to see Hartson join West Bromwich Albion, even though he still had a year left to run on his contract.

Hartson was a crucial part of the Wales squad in the Euro 2004 campaign, giving solid performances in the initial games that took Wales to the top of the group. A proud Welshman, John rewarded the faith shown in him by then boss Mark Hughes, after a disappointing start to his Welsh career under Bobby Gould.

In February 2006 Hartson surprised many with his decision to quit Wales in favour of focussing on club games, as reported on BBC Sport Online.
However, as always in football, things change - and June 2006 saw BBC Sport reporting that Hartson was allegedly considering making himself available again for his country. Click here to read more on the BBC Sport Online story from 18 June.

Hartson's heart has never been far away from his Swansea roots - in 2005 he even told BBC Sport that he'd like to end his playing career back ay Swansea City FC. In an article on BBC Sport Online he was quoted as saying:
"I'd love to go back. I can remember standing and watching on the terraces when I grew up as a boy... But I wouldn't just want to go to pick up money, get a round of applause for a few games then fizzle out. I'd want to be able to achieve things at the club."

On 1 June 2006 Portsmouth re-iterated their interest in Hartson, though this came too late following Celtic's announcment that they had accepted an offer from West Bromwich Albion for the striker, with Hartson going on to sign a two-year contract with the club on 26 June.

In February 2008 - a month after leaving West Brom - he declared that he was to retire. In an article on BBC Sport Online, he was quoted as saying that he would miss the competitive edge, but not the training. Nevertheless his uncompromising style of play will be missed by fans of the game everywhere.

After being diagnosed with testicular cancer in July 2009 he was told the disease had spread to his brain and lungs. He underwent surgery at Morriston Hospital in Swansea on Tuesday 14 July. On Monday 20 July his condition remained critical but stable. For the latest news on John...BBC News,

LATEST FROM BBC SPORT ONLINE:

Wales & Welsh football

HARTSON WALES STATS:
Wales caps: 51
Wales goals: 14
Wales debut: Mar 1995 v Bulgaria
Last Wales cap: Nov 2005 v Cyprus

Moment of Glory: Named Wales Footballer of the Year in 2003, 2001 and 1998. Before this he won the young player of the year award in 1995 and 1996.

Adele Innes
You're a Celtic hero and a true gentleman. Love to see you back in Glasgow. Take care big man.
Sat Sep 6 14:51:47 2008

CINDY HARTSON(INKPEN) COUSIN FROM SALT POND, NEWFO
Hi John, just a little note to let you know how proud we are of you here in Newfoundland. Looking forward to meeting you someday. ps my family looks forward to Uncle Pius' visit every year.
Mon Jul 23 10:02:38 2007

chris ivison hemel hempstead
I hope you and the family are well, John. Keep playing as long as you can son. All the best Ivy.
Mon Jul 9 10:58:33 2007

Collin Hartson( johns secound cousin),Labrador cit
Can't wait to see you play for your new club, John. Been following your career for years...
Thu May 10 10:11:47 2007

Jonesy, Smethwick
He's a hero around here with the baggies who were a bit sceptical at first. I'm a Swans fan and desperate to see him play for us. Go on John. You know you want to!
Mon Mar 5 10:13:37 2007

Conor Butler Swansea
Heard so much about you John, can't wait to stand up at the stadium and welcome you on to the pitch and into the Swansea side, will be the best day ever.
Thu Feb 15 09:04:36 2007

Kelly from Devon
John is the double of my cousin Vincent. I know he is from Wales but my grandfathers brother Sam Taylor married a lady from Wales and I wondered if he may be Johns maternal Grandfather? (He was from Glasgow)
Thu Oct 26 13:26:19 2006

Peter Ham, Australia
Aaargghhh. What a player good ol' 'artson was. Great forward, tough, resilient, powerful striker. Loved the Celtic teams during his era there, always gave 110%. Tough as nuts!
Thu Aug 31 08:50:46 2006

Josh Hayward, Melbourne, Australia.
Nothing is more spine-tingling than seeing ole John 'Artson slamming the ball into the back of the net. It gives the viewer a certain satisfaction seeing the gut-busting determination that the mountain of a man plays with, he is a true warrior of the game, and plays every match like he is in a war. Makes you proud to watch old games of the Bhoys. 'Artson forever.
Thu Aug 31 08:50:22 2006

Hayley Hartson from Trallwn (Johns sister)
Also my best friend....John has done not only himself proud, hes also made me and all my family twice as proud of him!! The hardest decision hes had to make in his carreer, he gave 200% every time he played for Wales... well done Johnny Boy!!!
Sun Feb 19 07:06:16 2006

Terry Warren from Newfoundland, Canada
Here's a bit of trivia: John's Grandfather, Pius is from Salt Pond, Newfoundland, Canada and went overseas in WWII and settled and married in Wales. He returns every summer to visit and take in the local football, fishing, and family.
Fri Feb 17 19:00:56 2006

Alex, Glasgow
John Hartson is the best and will always be! I met him a few times and he has such a great personality which makes people at ease with him instantly!! I love Big John and hope he'll stay at Celtic!
Tue Feb 7 00:45:27 2006

Shannon Galt from Hailsham
I adore Celtic espessially John I don't know what it would be like to meet him he is an fabulos striker and always will be... I would love to be a mascot.
Thu Nov 10 14:04:09 2005

Nancy from the USA
This player certainly is loyal to Wales....he is dependable and excellent and he is the one that should be the Captain as Giggs is forever abscent and John is a real leader.
Thu Oct 6 22:21:44 2005

Karl Davies from Trallwn
He is a god at football, he always has been, when he was a kid he taught me to play.
Mon Jul 18 11:13:24 2005

Scott from Dallas, TX
A great throw back footballer
Mon Apr 11 22:01:27 2005

Chris from London
John Hartson is god!
Mon Feb 28 23:51:07 2005

Are you a Hartson fan? What's your view on the prospect of him returning to Wales ? Add your comments here.

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