Cancer survivor England footballer Thomas offers help to ailing Petrov

London, Apr 5(ANI): Former England footballer Geoff Thomas, who won his battle with cancer, has offered a helping hand to Aston Villa captain Stiliyan Petrov, who was recently diagnosed with acute leukemia.

Thomas played nine times for England during his football career, and has described his struggle while fighting cancer as a dark tunnel, which leads to the other side that is full of light and life.

Thomas said if Petrov needs any assistance, then he is just a phone call away, as he has been there and he endured everything

He believes Petrov will now need the love and support of his family, just like he had from his wife and kids.

"When I got the news it was like my whole life - everything - had changed in a split second. You never forget it. It is shattering, trying to tell your wife," The Daily Star quoted Thomas, as saying.

"It might only be six letters, but cancer suddenly becomes an awfully long word to get out. It's a word that frightens you to death, anyway," he added. (ANI)