Former Bolton Wanderers striker Amadou Bakayoko 'saved fan's life'

For season ticket holder Andrew Carr credits the Sierra Leone international for saving his life.

Earlier this month it was announced that the popular striker was leaving the University of Bolton Stadium to sign for League Onerivals, Forest Green Rovers.

With Rovers having made the trip north,  Andrew Carr has shared his story of how the forward’s late goal against Crewe Alexandra in March may have ultimately saved his life.

Andy, 54, has had a season ticket since the age of seven, so has seen his fair share of late winners.

However, celebrating Bakayoko’s injury time strike in Cheshire turned out to be a life-saving moment.

And Andy is looking forward to seeing him at the match tonight.

READ MORE: Bolton Wanderers fans react to last-gasp Crewe Alexandra victory

The Westhoughton resident said: “When he scored the late goal at Crewe last March, as I was celebrating in the away end, I got a severe pain and cramp towards the bottom right of my chest.

“Soon afterwards I visited my GP about it, who referred me for an ultrasound.

“While they didn't initially find out what the cause of that was, while I was having the ultrasound they checked the left side too.

“I got a call the day after from the GP to saying you need book an appointment as soon as possible to get you looked at.

A photograph that was on The Bolton News website shows Andy (circled) celebrating the goal moments before the pains set in (Image: Newsquest)

READ MORE: Crewe Alexandra 0-1 Bolton Wanderers - Marc Iles's Big Match Verdict

“When they said that it made me think it was something quite serious.

“By chance, they found what turned out to be a cancerous tumour on my left kidney.

“I went to Salford Royal in the summer for a partial nephrectomy where they removed the cancerous part of my kidney.

“It was still in the early stages and while I am due to go back for further regular checks, removing it did the trick.

Andy in hospital to get his tumour operated on (Image: Andy Carr)

“But if Baka didn't score that goal I would potentially still be walking around unaware of the tumour still growing in the kidney.”

Andy says that he’s currently awaiting his six-month scan, but he feels fine, and his outlook is very positive.

“It’s funny how life works,” he added. “I'd definitely thank him for scoring.”

That goal was one of 13 in all competitions for Bakayoko last season - making him one of only three players in the last 20 years to score more than a dozen in a single campaign.

He failed to replicate that form this season, however, scoring just once in the league and playing most of his football as a substitute, starting just five times for Ian Evatt's side.

READ MORE: Amadou Bakayoko signs for Forest Green Rovers from Bolton Wanderers

Bakayoko will be hoping to help propel his new side up the league, who come to the UniBol rock-bottom of the table.

If you have a story or something you would like to highlight in the community, please email me at lewis.finney@newsquest.co.uk or DM me on Twitter @lewisfinney18.