Portsmouth legend Knight reveals cancer diagnosis

Former Portsmouth goalkeeper Alan Knight, right, is now a club ambassador

Former Portsmouth goalkeeper Alan Knight has revealed he has advanced prostate cancer.

The 61-year spent 22 years at Fratton Park, making 801 appearances between 1978 and 2000 – the record for a keeper at a single English club – earning him the nickname 'The Legend' with Pompey fans.

Now an ambassador for the club, Knight says his diagnosis "came as a massive shock" but wants to encourage others to seek advice if they spot symptoms.

“The main reason for me wanting to share this news is to hopefully make people realise that they should see their doctor straight away if they see any worrying signs," he said.

Alan Knight played 683 league games across 22 years for Portsmouth, with 801 games in total for the club

About one in eight men in the UK will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime, with a particular risk for those aged 50 or over.

“I was having to get up a few times in the middle of the night to use the toilet and had a weak stream," Knight added.

“So when I was getting a blood test for something unrelated, I spoke with the nurse about doing a PSA test.

“I probably would have put it off otherwise, but I’m glad that I didn’t.

“Ironically, it has spread to my hip, which I’ve had a few problems with down the years, but I have been told that it’s manageable.

“If I hadn’t needed to have a blood test, then I probably would have waited and by then, it might have been too late.”

Symptoms can include struggling to urinate or emptying your bladder, a weak flow and needing to urinate more than usual.

More information is available at Prostate Cancer UK and Macmillan Cancer Support.

As a teenager, Knight kept a clean sheet on his debut against Rotherham in Division Three in 1978 and he went on to represent the club in all four divisions. He was awarded an MBE following his retirement.

Knight’s final appearance for the club came on 3 January 2000, in a 2-1 Division One defeat at Norwich, making him the only Blues player to have played across four decades.