Ex-Gulls star Paul thanks fans as he faces biggest battle of his life

Former Torquay United star Paul Holmes has issued a heartfelt 'thank you' message to Gulls supporters, led by celebrity fan Helen Chamberlain, for their generosity as he prepares for a round of cancer treatment.
Paul, 55, is currently at home in Newton Abbot recovering from surgery ahead of follow-up scans which will decide his next course of treatment.
When TV presenter and lifelong United fan Chamberlain learned of his situation, including the fact that he has only an old small television in the spare room where he's recuperating, she swung into action, setting up a 'GoFundMe' appeal on his behalf.
Other supporters have been quick to help the ex-Plainmoor favourite who played 269 games in two spells (1988-92/2002-2003) as an attacking right-back for Torquay.
He also made 306 more appearances for Doncaster Rovers, Birmingham City, Everton in the Premiership and West Bromwich Albion.
Yorkshire-born Paul, who works in the medical records department at Torbay Hospital, said: "First of all, I'd like to thank all the staff, especially on Warrington Ward, who have looked after me. Also to the Torquay fans for their good wishes and generosity.
"Helen and I have been friends for many years, and she has been so helpful in overseeing things, but I didn't really know if other people would remember me and want to help like this.
"My condition is not unusual, so there's no point hiding it from everyone and, if anyone else feels that things are not right and need checking, I urge them to do it."
�
Paul's wife Kate added: "All our family have been brilliant, including our five children, but there are so many other people who have been so kind in lots of ways. The Warrington staff weren't just great looking after Paul, they've been just as good helping the family during a difficult time."
Paul, whose father Albert was also a professional footballer (Chesterfield), joined Torquay from Doncaster for £6,000 in 1988, and he was part of United's 1991 Wembley promotion team before being sold to Birmingham for £40,000.
He later moved to Everton (£100,000) and WBA (£80,000) before returning to Plainmoor in 2002.
He retired a year later, but has remained living and working in South Devon ever since.
Surrey-based Helen Chamberlain's appeal is on GoFundMe under 'Holmsey's Massive Telly' - https://www.gofundme.com/f/holmseys-massive-telly
She says on the page: "I've known Paul for over 20 years and he's genuinely one of life's good guys. Paul played over 200 games for Torquay United in two separate spells, and has also played for Doncaster Rovers, Birmingham, Everton, and made 103 appearances for West Brom.
"Paul is poorly. Currently he's at home being cared for by his fantastic family, who have made him comfortable in his own room with a borrowed reclining chair and the spare telly that his son put up on the wall for him.
"With Paul's permission, I have asked if I could let his old clubs and fans know, as I know a lot of people would like to pass on their best wishes to him.
Members of the Torquay United Supporters Trust and Tom Lapslie's sponsors club wanted to do more, so after discussions, we decided to set up this page to aim to buy Paul a really bloody big telly with love from us all to help with his recuperation. Fans of his former clubs all welcome to chip in and leave messages which will be passed to him."
The funding target for the TV was £1,800. Morre than £2,000 has been raised already.
Helen says: "We've gone big, we want the best biggest telly. If we don't reach the target, we'll get one within budget, if it goes over, he can buy what the hell he likes with the leftovers, which will most likely be sweets."