A FORMER footballer has told how he feels he has “lost his identity” to a brain tumour.

Shaun Bailey, who was manager of Halstead Town Football Club and played for Colchester United, was diagnosed with the tumour three years ago.

Gradually it started to shrink, but sadly, during his latest check- up, a scan revealed the tumour is now growing again.

Shaun, 53, who moved to America to teach football coaches, has spoken out for the first time about how the tumour has impacted his life.

He said: “It’s really hard for me now, it came out of the blue.

“About five weeks ago my hand was feeling strange and it started playing up a bit.

“I was going to tell the doctor at the MRI scan, but as soon as I walked in he said straight away, ‘I’m really sorry, it’s come back’.

“I knew something was wrong, it got me big time.”

He was meant to come back to England for a four-week visit, which had to be cancelled.

He said: “All I can remember is my wife was crying her eyes out. I tried to be OK but I had a little cry.”

Shaun played for Colchester United’s youth teams and around the amateur leagues of north Essex.

He played for Halstead Town FC between 1993 and 1996 and went on to become manager in 2000 and won two Jewson Premier League titles and a Jewson League Cup during his spells with the club.

After moving to America he continued a successful career, but now feels the tumour has taken his identity from him.

He said: “When I came over here I was so lucky, I got really good jobs.

“I was a director of Connecticut as a whole state, I was teaching coaches how to coach which was really good for me and I did a really good job.

“I was in the New England Hall of Fame, I was really happy with everything and then this happened.”

Now he cannot hold a pen as he has little movement in his right side.

He said: “I get so frustrated, I have lost the identity I had before.

I feel so different and it’s hard for me.

“I’m stuck in the house and I don’t really have people round to see me.”

One thing he finds difficult is being unable to speak with friends and family in England, who have continued to fundraise and support him.

He said: “I miss England so much. I came back last year and had such a great time.

“It was really fun because I saw all my friends who I have missed for so long, it was so busy.

“But then I came back to America, I have got friends here but my friends in England are a way of escape.

“I was looking forward to coming back.”

He is now facing a waiting game for six weeks to see if his extra chemotherapy works.

In the meantime, he is grateful to have the support of so many people.

He said: “It means to much to me that I’m over here and they are there, and they are doing all of this for me.

“I can’t say thank you enough.”

A Facebook page, called Bailey Strong, has been set up to raise funds.

Search #Baileystrong on Twitter and Facebook or visit you caring.com/shaunbailey-858624 T-shirts are also available to buy via the Facebook page.