Former Fulham, Wigan Athletic and West Bromwich Albion striker Horsfield had his world turned upside down last October when he was diagnosed with testicular cancer, writes Claire Harmer.

Having since been given the all clear, he has resumed his playing career, signing for Lincoln City and is working with Premier League Health, the Premier League's new healthy living initiative, to raise awareness of the importance of dealing with many of the serious health issues that men can suffer from.

Speaking at the campaign's launch, which took place at Fulham's Craven Cottage, one of Horsfield's former stomping grounds, he recounted his story.

"It was back in October last year when I found a lump in my testicle. It came as quite a shock because I've been at quite a few football clubs as everybody knows, and I've always considered myself to be one of the fittest in the squad wherever I have been," he said.

"I found the lump when I was in the bath one day, and thought it needed checking out. Luckily, I found it early enough and they removed it. Fortunately, I didn't need any chemo or radiotherapy, because, as I was told, I found it as early as I possibly could have.

"I couldn't believe it. I've always been fit and healthy. I've spent the last 15-years playing football and, although I enjoy the odd glass of wine or a beer, I've never smoked or anything and never expected this. I realised that if a footballer can get it, everyone else can get it as well.

"I didn't have a club at the time, and while I wasn't forced to retire from the illness, I decided to retire early. I just thought, 'I've got cancer, I'm going to retire.' Football went to the back of my mind, all I could think about was my wife and my two daughters. I retired of my own accord, but having got through it without having to have any treatment, I was itching to get back. I was sat about the house bored and when (Lincoln City manager) Peter Jackson rang me up and asked if I wanted to get back involved, I jumped at the chance," he continued.

"It's been well documented that people get embarrassed about going to the doctor for that sort of thing, but I'm one of those types of people who doesn't have a problem with seeing the doctor if there is anything wrong with me. After I was diagnosed, a lot of players I know got themselves checked straight away. It is a good thing to be aware of."

And thanks to his openess about his condition, 'Super Geoff,' a hero among West Brom fans after he scored on the final day of the 2004/05 season to help save his side from relegation from the top-flight, may just also have saved a life or two as well.

"I had a letter from the parents of a 16-year-old boy who had read an article I had put out in a national newspaper, saying I had got testicular cancer. His parents thanked me because on reading the article, he went to his dad and said 'I've got a lump in my testicle.' He found it two weeks prior, and hadn't said anything until he read the article. It turned out to be testicular cancer. He had the lump removed and that hopefully saved his life.

"For me, being diagnosed came as a big shock, but I've come back and I'm playing football again. I'm just enjoying life again now. I'm signed till the end of the season, and I'm also working with Lincoln Reserves, getting in to the coaching side. At my age (35), I got to start thinking about getting involved in that now. Maybe I'll have another season and then hopefully get a manager's job."

Having been asked to get involved in Premier League Health by former Fulham team-mate Simon Morgan, now the Head of the Premier League's Community department, Horsfield is hopeful the £1.63m programme, funded by the New Football Pools, will revolutionise the way thousands of men live their lives.

He said: "Premier League Health is fantastic, I think it's going to really take off. With footballers and other sports people sending the message out, a lot of people will realise the importance of their health and hopefully go and see their doctor if they think they need something checking out."

Also at the launch was another Fulham legend, World Cup winner George Cohen. He, like Horsfield, had successfully overcome cancer, after retiring from playing football in 1969.

"It wasn't very long after I finished playing football at 29, that I had cancer," said the former right-back. "I had three outbreaks of bowel cancer in the '70s."

"The thing that is most important to point out is that early diagnosis help people to get over these illnesses. I certainly would not have survived had I not have had a doctor who recognised the symptoms almost straight away. I wasn't afraid to go to the doctor, that was in my character. A lot of people don't have that, to their cost.

"There is also the issue of members of the same family getting cancer. There is a history of cancer in my family, and now my young sons and grand-children have tests just in case they may suffer from it. People should not be afraid to go to the doctor.

"I first got cancer in 1975, and was cured, they say, in 1981. I have investigations every now and again to make sure everything is ok, to ensure that if it isn't, the doctors can do something about it."

Speaking at the launch, Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore said: "This initiative is designed to help to alter the attitudes and the perception around men's health. It's been said by many that if you could track some of the fantastic interest that men have in football and channel it in to helping men take their wellbeing as seriously as they do their football, wellbeing could be improved.

"We make no apologies for it being gender specific, because there is an undoubted need. Quite frankly, we as men are useless! We don't take our health as seriously as we should.

"This will not be a campaign, because that will be too short lived. This has to be a sustainable action."

The new initiative, which will see Premier League clubs encouraging men from their local communities to live more healthy and active lives is supported by Public Health Minister Dawn Primarolo. She said: "We all want to live long, healthy lives. What is quite clear is that people don't necessarily listen to healthy living advice, because it depends on who is giving the advice. Who are the trusted messengers? Who are the people that men listen to?

"The role that the Premier League can play with initiatives such as this is so important. It's a real honour to be able to support this new initiative, and work towards a lasting legacy in helping all of our communities to live long and healthy lives."

To find out more about Premier League Health, click here