ADAM NEWBURY has been nicknamed ‘Miracle Man’ by his football friends after overcoming battles on and off the pitch.

The 19-year-old born-and-bred Herefordian has two important dates tattooed on his left arm to remind him of the obstacles he has faced.

Adam was 16, and a promising player with Birmingham City, when he was given four to six months to live after being diagnosed with cancer.

“I just broke down in tears and so did my mum and dad,” recalled Adam, who lives in St Guthlac Street.

“That’s the worst news anyone could hear at such a young age.

“While I was off, all I wanted to do was play football.”

Adam was diagnosed after finding a lump on his neck and it’s the dates of his two operations that are inscribed on his arm.

He had just signed a two-year scholarship with Birmingham City, and had played for the reserves, when he found a lump during an under-18 training trip to Chigwell.

A biopsy showed the lump was a malignant melanoma.

“Normally, it’s a mole but I had no prime site and I will never know where it came from. I was training every day and the fittest I had ever been. “ Adam had lymph nodes removed from his neck in a five-and-a-half hour operation in October 2008.

“Chemo and radiotherapy would not have been a benefit, so I had to have a new drug from the USA that you couldn’t get on the NHS.

“My mum, Samantha, and dad, Keith even discussed selling the house and moving in with my nan so I could have the funds, but fortunately I had BUPA cover in my contract at Birmingham City.”

During his year-long treatment, Adam found another lump which was not cancerous but he needed a second operation to remove it. He finished the drug treatment a day before his 18th birthday.

“Finishing the treatment was a great birthday present – I had my 18th birthday party at Hereford Lads Club but I don’t really remember too much about it.”

Adam says that during his illness he was well looked after by Birmingham City, who he joined at the age of eight.

“Steve Spooner was the under-18 coach and he used to ring me without fail every day to see how I was. Alex McLeish rang me when I was on the way home from the hospital.”

Adam, a former Aylestone School pupil, missed almost two seasons while recovering from his illness.

“One of my friends, Daniel Smith, lived at my house and used to encourage me to go out. I had lost all my confidence but he got me on my feet.”

Adam returned to the Blues and they gave him another year’s contract, which included a loan spell at Redditch United.

“I got myself back playing and fit but, after a year, Birmingham said they couldn’t renew my contract. I understood – they had been brilliant to me.”

Adam started this pre-season at Worcester City before linking up with Westfields and has been influential in their rise to the top of the Midland Alliance table.

Westfields manager Sean Edwards said: “Adam’s a very important player for us and has done superbly. I call him a Miracle Man because I know what he’s been through and he’s driven by football. He’s always one of the first players training and the last to leave.”

Adam, who turns 20 next month, said: “I am really enjoying my football again – I am fit at the moment, it’s good to be back playing and the lads are superb.

“I scored with a 25-yard header in pre-season and I have also scored in the FA Vase. I want to get a season under my belt. I am back enjoying the game and I will put my CV out there and see what happens.”

Now that Adam is back on his feet, he says he doesn’t mind talking about his illness.

“I am open about it – it’s important not to think the worst and always stay positive. If you have to talk about it, talk about it. Family and friends go a long way – they help you through everything.”

“I have got two sisters, Rebecca and Amy, and my mum and dad had to stop work for a while so it was a bit of a bumpy ride.

“I want to thank everyone who has supported and been there for me.

“When I was diagnosed and told the worst, that would have taken us up to Christmas 2008 but, three years down the line, I am still here.”

He added: “I am a strong person and I will never give up. I will keep on fighting for what I want.”