Doog urges fans to back game

Football legend Derek Dougan has called on Wolves fans to support a ex-Molineux favourite being denied a potentially life-saving cancer drug.

The former striker is backing Ian "Iggy" Cartwright who needs £20,000 per year to pay for treatment refused by the NHS.

Mr Cartwright, aged 42-year-old from Netherton, who played for the famous 1982-83 promotion squad under Dougan's chairmanship, was diagnosed with cancer for the second time earlier this year.

And the man known as "the Doog" today urged Wolves fans to flock to a charity match at Tividale Football Club this Sunday, to help raise cash for the treatment. He explained: "I had an unbelievable relationship with Wolves supporters and I have never asked anything of them in my life."

"But I would just ask that they all turn up at Tividale this Sunday so we can help get this treatment that Ian so badly needs. He is a former Wolves player, he is a smashing bloke and he seriously deserves a little bit of support," he added.

Father-of-two Cartwright was given news of NHS bosses' decision not to pay for the drug, Sutent, on his 42nd birthday earlier this month.

And Dougan paid tribute to Cartwright's close friend and event organiser Simon Dunkley, who has attracted legends to Sunday's match including Don Goodman, Cyrille Regis and former England stars Tim Flowers and Geoff Thomas.

"If anything like that ever happens to you, just pray you have a friend like him. He is a smashing fellow and has done a brilliant job in organising the match. For a person so young and with so much to live for, I really hope that we can get the support we need and he and his family deserve," he added.

The benefit match takes place at Tividale Football club, The Beeches, on Sunday 3, kicking off at 4pm. Entry £1-£3. Call the club on 01384 211743.