Mick Harford has praised the “unbelievable” support from Luton Town and its supporters as he returns to the club full time after undergoing radiotherapy treatment for prostate cancer.
The assistant manager revealed in the summer that he’d have to step back from his duties to start the fight against the disease and he’s been absent from the dugout on match days since August.
But Harford will be back for Sunday’s home FA Cup third round tie with Harrogate, alongside former captain Alan Sheehan who has today returned to the club as first-team coach.
Harford said: “I’m just pleased to be back in at The Brache full-time. I still have to carry on with my appointments at the hospital, but it’s great to come back into such a positive, bubbly environment. It makes me feel a lot better, and I feel really positive about moving forward.
“Sunday is the third round of the FA Cup, which is big in my heart, so obviously I’m looking forward to the challenge as we move into a busy second half of the season. It takes your mind off things and you can get stuck into your work here. I can just be focused on the football.
“The support I’ve had from supporters, the club, the board, Gary, the management, staff and players has been unbelievable, and really helped me through. Everyone has been really supportive towards me and I can’t thank them enough.”
Manager Nathan Jones said: “We are delighted to have Mick back. He is a massive part of the culture and the environment here. Mick and I always spoke about his return, when it would be and it had to be when he felt right.
“Having done a few days and kept his hand in, he’s just felt really comfortable and he really feels that now is the right time. It’s great to have him back and he’s had an instant impact this week. Everyone is delighted, obviously and it’s a big thing to have him back at the helm with us.
“The fans have been wonderful and sung his name at every game he’s been absent this season, so I know they’ll be excited and get right behind Mick and the team. It’ll be great to have him back in and around on a matchday and I know he’ll get the ovation he thoroughly deserves on Sunday.”
