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| Deeney celebrates Bath win. Copyright Hemel Hempsted Town FC |
When Zimbabwe-born bouncer Joe Deeney was diagnosed with Burkitt’s Lymphoma, an aggressive form of blood cancer, it seemed improbable that he would survive, let alone continue a promising coaching career.
On November 3rd 2018, Deeney oversaw his first game as manager of Hemel Hempstead Town, culminating in a hard-fought 1-0 win at Bath City, a year to the day since he was given the all-clear.
“On 7 April 2015 I walked into hospital tired and fatigued. I told doctors ‘I think I’ve got cancer’. Five days later I was diagnosed with Stage Four Burkitt’s Lymphoma. It had spread across 90% of my body and I was told it was unlikely I would survive,” he said.
The 34 year-old began his playing career at Luton Town, featuring twice before embarking on short spells at Enfield and Dunstable Town. At 19, Deeney made the brave decision to retire due to persistent injury problems, returning to Kenilworth Road as an academy coach.
After nearly 13 years in youth development, including a two-year career as a professional MMA fighter, Deeney faced his toughest battle yet.
“Three weeks on from the diagnosis I was having chemotherapy. I rapidly lost 14kg, one of my kidneys had completely failed and I was suffering with jaundice. My skin was yellowing.
“I remember looking at my partner and daughter and thinking ‘who is going to look after them?’ For the first time in my life I was defenceless.
“The treatment wasn’t working, then thankfully, after an intense course of chemotherapy, they started to get results. I owe my health to my consultant Dr Dungawala.
“When I found out I was ill, everyone at Luton stepped up. Gary Sweet, John Still, Mick Harford and Wayne Turner all came to visit me. They made sure I was looked after.”
Upon leaving hospital, Deeney became assistant manager to Mark Jones at Oxford City in December 2016, a friend to whom he is grateful for being so understanding when the Hemel call came.
He added: “Being told I no longer had cancer was bittersweet in some ways. My kidneys had cleared, but there were some worrying signs on the scans. I spent two years in remission and on November 3rd 2017, was given the all clear. Beating Colchester in the FA Cup the following day was a present, a sign that things were finally going to be okay.”
There is an extent to which all academy coaches live vicariously through the players they have nurtured. This, paired with Deeney’s recovery and new job, his first as a first team manager, have given him a new lease of life.
“I’ve always wanted to make sure I’m educated and can help people achieve. Managers are not given enough time to build a culture these days, but I’ve always said, ‘if you’re good enough you’re old enough.’ It means so much to see Cauley Woodrow, Jay Dasilva, James Justin, Max Aarons and Jamal Lewis doing so well.
“I met the Hemel board on the Monday (before the Bath game) and the chairman gave me the job straight away. They have been brilliant so far and haven’t put me under any overwhelming pressure."
He added: "I've always been lively on the touchline. I kick every ball. At Bath, Laurie Walker made a great save and the defence played brilliantly, but we had our chances too. It was fantastic to hear that final whistle blow."
“Life can change in an instant, and the memory moves me forward, makes me a positive person today. I want to take this team up the league, and I never want to feel like that again.”
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