Chris Todd column

By Chris Todd
Torquay United defender

Last night I scored my first goal for Salisbury and the first one since I was diagnosed with leukaemia as we beat Weymouth 4-0

I've started my second month on loan here at Salisbury City.

I was told just before my initial one-month deal ended by Torquay manager Paul Buckle that I could stay here for another month and I'm on a 24-hour call back should they need me.

I'm really enjoying it to be fair, the lads are brilliant and I'm enjoying my football. I'm playing with a smile on face and enjoying every game as it comes.

We've had some good results and we've had four clean sheets in the last five games so on that side of things it's been really good.

I feel that my time on loan is showing that I'm fit enough and capable enough to be playing in Torquay's team so when Paul Buckle needs me or thinks its right to bring me back I'll be ready.

Last night I scored my first goal for Salisbury and the first one since I was diagnosed with leukaemia as we beat Weymouth 4-0.

Michael Brough, who's also on loan at Salisbury from Torquay, headed down a corner and I got in front of the keeper, took a touch and whacked it in from about six yards out. I was in the right place at the right time.

It wasn't a 30-yard screamer that we all dream about scoring, but they all count! It was a pretty crucial goal at the time as it was 0-0 and we needed to break Weymouth down.

On the health front I went for some tests the other day to see how my blood cells are coping after about four months on my current medication for leukaemia. I should get the results in a couple of weeks. I'm hoping they'll tell me that I'm producing my body's good blood cells rather than the bad ones I was producing when I was ill.

Finally, living in Salisbury I've been sharing a place with a few of the lads.

The other day we sat down to watch a film called "The Express". We had no idea what it was about, but it turned out it was based on the life of American footballer Ernie Davis.

He was the first black player to win college football's Heisman Trophy but was cut down in the prime of his career after being diagnosed with leukaemia.

We were watching it and we were all gobsmacked as it was very similar to what I am currently going through. The film ends with him having to give up playing professional sports because of the illness.

Watching it has inspired me even more to keep playing as hard and for as long as I can because I am fit and strong enough to do so.

Chris Todd was talking to BBC South West's Brent Pilnick.