The defender, possibly the only diabetic professional in England, is putting family and wellbeing before thoughts of resuming playing
Ben Coker is not 100% certain but the Lincoln left-back, who is on loan at Cambridge, thinks he is the only diabetic player in the English professional game. “There might be a couple in the non-league that have played in the league but I’m not sure whether there are any others in the Football League at the moment,” Coker says. “That’s the picture in England. I know that there’s Nacho at Real Madrid. He’s type 1 diabetic. I found out about him a few years ago.”
Coker was told at the age of 15 he had type 1 diabetes, the condition where the body’s immune system attacks and destroys the cells that produce insulin, although it has not stopped him from enjoying a long career in the sport he loves. Now 30, he is best known for his six seasons at Southend during which he made 208 appearances in all competitions.
Written by David Hytner
This news first appeared on https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/may/13/lincolns-ben-coker-with-diabetes-i-have-to-think-about-the-restart-more-than-others under the title “
“. Bolchha Nepal is not responsible or affiliated towards the opinion expressed in this news article.
