Bristol Rovers assistant head coach Paul Raynor has revealed that he has bowel cancer.
The 60-year-old said medical examinations had identified a tumour, and he is due to begin chemotherapy and radiotherapy later this month.
Raynor explained that the disease had not reached any major organs, describing the news as extremely encouraging. He was also informed that the treatment has a strong chance of being successful.
“We are determined to overcome this,” Raynor said on the club’s website., external
“We will get through it, and hopefully I can return to the training pitch later in the season to support the team.
“My intention is to remain involved whenever possible. I plan to attend matches and, provided I feel well enough, that is exactly what I will do.”
Raynor arrived at the Memorial Stadium alongside Rovers manager Steve Evans in December 2025. The pair helped the club avoid relegation to the National League, and the team is now considered one of the leading promotion contenders in League Two this season.
He said the condition was detected after he sent in a test sample.
“Like many men, I kept putting it off until my wife repeatedly encouraged me to complete the test,” Raynor said.
“I eventually submitted it, and one week later I was informed that the result was unusual and that I needed a full examination. Within an hour of that appointment, I was speaking to a consultant who told me they had discovered a tumour.”
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