This week a family got in touch with me with a story very similar to my own, how an 8 year old boy named Dalgliesh developed the disease Perthes like myself. Of course this is devastating at such a young age for him and his parents and also very painful. His mother Jill told of how he was top goal scorer at his football team scoring no less than 60 goals and was playing at the Birmingham city academy.

He has now turned his attention to snooker keeping hope that he can still one day follow his dream of becoming a professional sportsman. Me and my family would like to wish Dagliesh the very best for the future and a speedy recovery and who knows we could one day meet at the crucible.

Please if you get the chance visit the perthes web site by clicking here it is such a rare disease it would be great to raise awareness. Thanks.