Teenager Charlie Watson will be a Scottish Cup hero on Friday night, even if his side Threave Rovers get knocked out of the famous old competition in their televised clash with Stranraer.
The 19-year-old midfielder has astounded team-mates, staff and fans by continuing to play for the club despite being diagnosed with cancer and undergoing intensive treatment.
He hasn’t missed a training session for the side from the West Of Scotland League Third Division in the last year, and scored the final goal in their 6-1 victory over Vale of Leithen in the first round of the cup last month.
Now TV viewers will see this remarkable young man for themselves when he features in this evening’s second-round tie with League Two Stranraer which is being shown live on BBC Scotland.
Watson was initially diagnosed with a stage two nodular malignant melanoma around a year ago. It has now reached stage four and spread to his lymph nodes, lungs and liver.
Charlie Watson, who is just 19 years old, is due to play in the Scottish Cup on Friday night
The joinery apprentice has chosen to battle on for his club, however, as well as raising funds and awareness of his condition.
‘I had a mole on my lower abdomen and it just started to get bigger and bigger,’ he told the BBC. ‘I asked the doctor to remove it. I got a phone call a couple of weeks later telling me the mole was a type of skin cancer.
‘It was just a shock. Somebody my age, you don’t expect to hear news like that. There was a lot going through my head at one time.
‘I’m on a type of immunotherapy. I get a double drug – four rounds every four weeks then a six-week break. I get a single drug for two years every four weeks.
Watson has been diagnosed with stage four skin cancer but is still playing football
‘I’ve actually been really lucky with side effects. I’ve only had an overactive thyroid. Just tired. Usually the day after I’m a bit more lethargic.’
Threave manager Danny Dunglinson is understandably in awe of the brave teenager in his ranks.
‘It’s horrific what him and his family are going through,’ he said. ‘He’s only 19, so trying to get your head round what he’s going through is very hard.
‘Seeing him on the pitch, you can’t quite believe he is experiencing what he’s experiencing. I don’t think he’s missed a training session.
‘During games, he’s never once looked out of place or looked like he’s struggling. If anything, he looks like he’s getting better, which is staggering.
‘The reaction when he scored (against Vale of Leithen) was brilliant. The cheer was that extra bit louder, even though it was the last goal in a 6-1 win in the last minute. It meant a lot to his team-mates as well.’
Watson’s mum Amanda Woods told the BBC: ‘He’s an amazing human being and he copes with it all very well. He is still playing his football. He’s a very driven and strong-minded young man and always has been.
‘I would swap places in a heartbeat. There’s no question about it. We’ve got to keep each other going. Charlie’s never failed to make us proud of him. We’re so proud of him for everything and Friday’s just another.’
Threave Rovers v Stranraer, Meadow Park, Castle Douglas. Kick-off 7.45pm. Live TV BBC Scotland.
