Socceroo goalkeeper Brad Jones talks about devastation over son's cancer news

* Exclusive by David Davutovic
* From: The Daily Telegraph
* June 09, 2010

WHEN Brad Jones walked into his son's hospital ward and saw the smile light up his face he had no doubt his decision to walk out on Australia's World Cup campaign was justified.

An emotional Jones last night broke his silence to reveal to The Daily Telegraph that he "felt numb" when first learning that his four-year-old son Luca had been diagnosed with leukaemia and was still coming to terms with the devastating news.

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Speaking from Marseille, where he is by Luca's hospital bedside, Jones said he was unlikely to return to South Africa.

"For the moment it's wait and see with Luca, but the treatment will last for five weeks and I want to be here as much as I can," he said. "I've thought long and hard about whether I should come back but I think I will stay."

Jones left the squad just a week before the Socceroos were due to face Germany in their World Cup opener in Durban.

Officially only injured players can be substituted in the 23-man World Cup squads after the June 1 deadline, but FIFA have granted FFA special dispensation for Jones to be replaced.

It is expected keeper Eugene Galekovic will be drafted in.

Jones rushed to France last Saturday to be with his little boy, as the Socceroos were facing USA in their final friendly.

Jones, 28, has been overwhelmed by the show of support from his Socceroos teammates, FFA officials and the nation.

"The World Cup is irrelevant for me now," Jones told The Daily Telegraph.

"When I walked into the room and he smiled when he saw me, that was worth more than anything and more than a World Cup could ever give me.

"I feel a bit helpless not being able to communicate with the [French] doctors, but it's worth it by him just knowing that he's got me here."

Jones revealed he first learnt of his son's illness after a team meeting last Friday night, on the eve of the USA friendly.

"We were having a meeting and I when I came out I received a voice message, that was when I found out," he recalled.

"I went numb and all sorts of things start going on in your head and you don't know what you should be doing.

"I knew he had been to the doctors for some blood tests because he wasn't feeling good, but we never thought it would be something so serious.

"To get a phone call like that is a massive shock and something you don't think would happen to your own kid.

"You don't know what's going on, you kind of go into auto pilot. From that moment on it was pretty hard to deal with."

Jones revealed that his closest pals, former Middlesbrough teammates Mark Schwarzer and Luke Wilkshire, helped him through the devastation.

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"After we told the boys I sat down with a few of the guys I know really well and I've know for a long time, like Mark Schwarzer and Luke Wilkshire, and had a chat with them," Jones said. "They all know Luca really well and they've known him from day one because he was born in England.

"I had a chat with them and it really helped me."

He also paid tribute to the entire Socceroos squad and support staff, and revealed that Tim Cahill had told him of his planned goal celebration against the USA. Cahill rocked his arms as if cradling a child, while Wilkshire pointed to the heavens as a tribute to Luca.

"Yeah, everybody was pretty emotional," Jones said of the moment that his Socceroos teammates were informed.

"Everyone knows each other really well and the team does have that family feeling about it, so the boys are devastated.

"Timmy told me he was going to do that when he scored. I saw it later on and it's great they're all there and so supportive.

"I've had that many text messages from the boys, saying call me if there is anything you need and they would try and help me in any way they could.

"So it's nice to have people like that that you can count on, even though it's not a nice situation to be in."

He praised FFA officials for their efficiency in helping him get to France to see Luca as quick as possible, as well as the public for their concern.

"The staff members were unbelievable. They were so helpful and really good in helping me organise my flights here they did everything they could. I didn't have to deal with that side of things, which was a real help, and I'd just like to thank them for their support.

"You see all the other kids in the hospital ward who are in the same boat, and all the other families are in the same boat, struggling as we are."

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/soccer/socceroo-goalkeeper-brad-jones-talks-about-devastation-over-sons-cancer-news/story-e6frey4r-1225877255614