Paul Duffen Loses Eye To Cancer.

Former Hull City chairman Paul Duffen has spoken of his “tremendous shock” at losing an eye to cancer.

Mr Duffen, who in 2008 became the first chairman to take City to the Premier League, was recently pictured by the Mail at the KC Stadium wearing medical sunglasses.

Last night, the 56-year-old married father of five told how he has been battling cancer.

He said: “I can confirm that I was diagnosed with a rare form of eye cancer in early September, which sadly necessitated the removal of my right eye".

“It came as a tremendous shock, but I have made a full recovery and was delighted to be back at the KC Stadium for the Crystal Palace game on October 4.

“I have been overwhelmed by the love and support of family and friends, which has been the most powerful medicine throughout this difficult episode.

“I now look forward to resuming my focus on the more familiar challenges of life and business and will be campaigning to increase awareness of the benefits of regular eye examinations by a qualified optometrist.”

Among those offering support to Mr Duffen is his close friend Phil Brown – City’s manager during his two-year chairmanship, which ended in his resignation in October 2009.

Mr Brown, who left the KC Stadium the following June after four years at the club, said: “I have been astonished by the positivity Paul has shown.

“It’s this positivity, along with the great support network he has, in terms of his family and friends, that will get him through this. I’ve absolutely no doubt about that.”

Mr Brown, now manager of Southend United, said he remembers his friend’s “feistiness” during the period they spent together.

“Paul is a fighter and a feisty character,” he said. “No matter how hard things were, he would always see the positives.”

The pair plan to meet in Southend later this month.

“We’re playing Hartlepool, another one of my clubs, on November 15,” said Mr Brown, 55.

“Paul will be staying at our house and we’ll be chewing the fat, no doubt talking about the good old days at Hull.”

Colin Vize, the clinical lead for ophthalmology at Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust, said surgeons only remove an eye when it is deemed a patient’s life is in danger.

Mr Vize, who is based at Hull and East Yorkshire Eye Hospital, next to the infirmary, said: “Removing an eye is not something we take lightly.

“Our principal aim is clearly to preserve sight.

“It is a drastic, lifesaving procedure that is sometimes necessary in order to preserve life.

“Unfortunately, in some cases, the eye needs to be removed to prevent the melanoma, which is a cancerous tumour, spreading.

“Most commonly it will tend to spread to the brain and liver.”

Since quitting football, Mr Duffen has returned to his roots in the media industry.

He lives with his wife Emma and their three youngest children Adam, 17, and 13-year-old twins Toby and Sam.

Mr Duffen also has a daughter, Carly, 26, and another son James, 28

 

Sad to see that Paul Duffen has lost an eye to cancer, hope the cancer has been caught in time and wish him a speedy recovery. Love him or hate him I do believe he always had the best interests of Hull City at heart although he was a bit of a Walter Mitty who almost cost us our club through some of his actions. All the best for your future Paul.

 

Regardless of what he did or didn't do when he was Chairman, and as someone who has lost several members of my family to cancer, I can only offer Mr Duffen my best wishes and good luck for the future here.

 

I met him twice and he came across as a gentleman. Whatever happened he gave us good times. Good Luck Paul hope you stay well.

 

Yes, it really is a totally indiscriminate disease and you feel for anyone who is affected by it. Just hope that the action they have taken has caught it before it had a chance to spread. Wish him the best for the future.
Always remember him in the crowd away at Barnsley in 2008 and thought it showed he was really part of it, even if it did all turn sour later on.

 

I saw him at that Palace game. I said to my lad he looked thin and ill.

Now we know why.

 

That is shocking and I too send him my heartfelt good wishes for a full recovery, i lost my brother (fellow city fan and best friend) to cancer a couple of years back and know how devastating it is. Paul Duffen and Phil Brown brought us good times that we could never have previously dreamed of and for that i am eternally grateful.

 

I recall chatting to him under the stand at Plymouth before an FA Cup game (08) I think...Nice guy..sad to hear this news..

 

All the best Paul! Glad you've made a recovery and let's all hope it doesn't come back.

 

Spot on that Polly

 

He was regularly seen amongst the fans at away grounds. He seems to be one of a few from that period who came to Hull and stuck around even after leaving the club.

 

That's really awful, i wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. Is it ok, that the thought struck me.... what would he have felt when George Boyd scored for us,and we sang that song ????

 

All the best Paul Duffen

May your cancer NEVER return.

 

That must be pretty rare? Best of luck in your recovery Paul.

 

I heard about this a couple of weeks ago, massive shame obviously.

They actually picked it up when he went for a routine sight test and a couple of hours later they knew he had to have an eye out

 

On a human front – terrible to lose an eye and I sincerely wish him all the best in his recovery.

On a football front – despite the aftermath and the skeletors in the cupboard, would we have ever made the Prem if he hadn’t been in charge?

 

Chin up Mr Duffen, life will be good again. Wishing you a long, happy, cancer free life. x

 

Bob Marley had cancer in his toe, but he left it to spread into his whole body.
Glad to see Duffman learnt from his mistake.

 

So sorry to hear that. Hope you make a full recovery and stay cancer free Mr.Duffen and enjoy many more years with your family.