Football: Rees loses fight against cancer

MEL REES, the Sheffield United goalkeeper who has been fighting cancer for a year, has died. In his last public appearance Rees led his team out at Wembley for their FA Cup semi-final against Sheffield Wednesday last month.

Rees, 26, who survived two major operations, appeared to have beaten the disease earlier this year, but was re-admitted to hospital in March.

Derek Dooley, the United chairman, said: 'He kept his sense of humour and was cheerful right to the end.'