Mark facing a personal battle
DERRY CITY have been battling against a well documented financial crisis for the best part of the 2009 season, but the problems faced by the Brandywell club simply pale into insignificance when one considers the pressures and fears experienced by one of the club's favourite players during this campaign.
Mark Farren - the National League of Ireland's joint leading scorer last year with 23 goals to his credit - has had to call upon an inner strength and a self belief during that same period to face his own private battle against illness.
The Greencastle man, who celebrated his 27th birthday on May Day this year, was diagnosed with a 'low grade benign tumour on the brain' on Christmas Eve last year and yet he continued to play his part in the Derry City front-line scoring 10 goals.
Having attended sessions with neuro-surgeons and consultants in a Belfast Hospital throughout this year, Mark's condition has changed slightly, so much so that he must now undergo an MRI Scan before a decision can be made on his immediate future.
That scan - which will take place in three weeks - will also bring additional pressure and having carried the condition for the past 10 months, Mark has opted to give football a rest as he prepares himself for another visit to hospital. And given that the 2009 season will conclude in late November, it's fair to suggest that he will play no further part in the campaign.
At this point let me make it clear that he's not "hanging up his boots" or anything like that, he's anxious to get the scan completed, take account of the results and, God willing, will then prepare for his marriage to girlfriend, Terri Holmes, this December.
And, following the Festive season, Mark Farren will then focus his attentions on the League of Ireland's 2010 campaign and pre-season training at the Brandywell with his beloved Derry City Football Club.
Having sought medical advice, Mark Farren contacted me this week asking if I would pen this piece in an effort to avoid any unnecessary rumours circulating around the football club and its support base in relation to his condition.
I met with Mark and his girlfriend on Wednesday morning, to discover a particularly positive and dedicated young couple anxious to get through their current crisis, enjoy their wedding day and look forward to a happy and healthy life together in 2010.
Despite having to deal with Mark's condition this year they both looked fit and well, they appeared particularly positive and, understandably, became nervous when interviewed on what has been and still is a highly emotive subject.
Significant Contribution
For Farren, football has dominated his life. He's enjoyed the highs and experienced the lows at the Brandywell during his career to date. He's been regularly revered in the local and national media since making a significant contribution to his local club and he has every intention of following that through into next year's campaign.
"It's highly unlikely that I will see the current season out," he suggested when we met this week. "I've taken medical advice, the same advice which allowed me to play throughout the season. I will have a scan in three weeks time and, hopefully, I'll get the news I want.
"The season is over at the end of next month so I really can't see me being involved. But there's my marriage to Terri in December, enjoy Christmas and then get ready for pre-season training early in the New Year. That's what I'm praying for," he smiled.
"I've been playing with this condition for the past 10 months and off the field I've experienced pressure, but playing the game has been good for me. I feel I've now reached the stage that I must concentrate on dealing with this condition. The results of my next scan will be very important in relation to what happens next. I've been told the results will tell the doctors much more about the tumour and what the next course of action will be."
Commenting on his forthcoming wedding, he had a wide grin etched on his face. "I'm really looking forward to my wedding day in December and, hopefully, that will signal a good end to 2009 after what has gone on this year.
"Yes, it's been pressurised and, at times, hard to deal with as I opted to keep the condition within my family, Terri's family and close friends. I needed to play football and there were also pressures there as we are playing in a very competitive league, but that's my profession and it was important to me that I try to play my part.
"For the moment, however, I must concentrate on what lies ahead and see where it takes me.
"I found it very difficult to deal with once the diagnosis was made last year, especially when it came just before the start of the season and I had been really looking forward to that. Obviously I missed a good part of our pre-season campaign. I worried about the risk of playing. I had to weigh things up because football has been a big part of my life. I sought advice as I didn't really know what I could and couldn't do, so that was difficult for me. I didn't want to give it up and I couldn't give up and, thankfully, the medical advice was that I could continue and that was the first positive I experienced.
"I sincerely hope that after the forthcoming scan, further advice will see me continue my career for years to come. The tumour has been described to me as 'low grade' but it's got to be dealt with. It's possible that I may have to have an operation - then again, I may not.
While remaining totally positive, Mark has also been realistic. "I've got to prioritise things and that's why I want to prepare myself for the scan. I don't wish to take any chances on the pitch just in case I would aggravate something. For the first time in my life, I feel it's important that I sit back from football for a while and concentrate on the immediate future."
Vital Support
He pointed to the support of his own family and Terri's family for helping him remain positive. "We've all been through some tough times over the past few months and I owe them so much. In fact so many people have rallied around me and that's been great.
"I've also been blessed as I am fully aware that there are so many other people out there in different positions than me with such an ailment. I believe I've got a chance to continue my life. I think I'm lucky. I've been training every day and playing football every week and that's helped me concentrate on other things.
"Everything on the pitch has continued as normal. I've even taken a few knocks here and there and nothing seems to have any effect on me which has also been good for me. I feel great and I feel positive and focused and for that I'm really thankful."
Mark also felt it was important that he extended his thanks to all associated with Derry City, from "the Board of Directors down to those who attend matches."
He went on: "From the very start the club has supported me. Once aware of my situation, the club got me the best medical attention, including private consultations. Derry City pulled out all the stops, the people there have been unbelievable.
"From the outset they were behind me and are still behind me respecting any decision I have made, from the Board of Directors, to the manager, to our club doctor and to the physio and backroom staff. The players have been brilliant and they've been with me every step of the way and I hope to pay them back on the pitch next season."
Mark also praised the honesty and professionalism of his manager, Stephen Kenny, describing him as "a very special person" during what has been a very turbulent period in his own life.
Special Person
"Stephen Kenny has been very special person to me. Even in times when I felt things were not going well, he's always been there for me. Terri and I have met him on several occasion. He has advised us on many things, things outside football and we both really appreciate his support and help. As a manager, he has always been aware of what was going on in my life. He has always respected my privacy and protected me as such and for that I am very grateful.
"The bottom line was to be positive and I'll get through this. I don't see this is a fight or anything like that, but it's a condition I've got to overcome and get on with my life. I really want to married and then get back on that pitch, that's my main aim. It's a good focus for me and that's what I want," Mark concluded.
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Thursday 24 May 2012
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