Preston fan 'truly sorry' for lying about having terminal cancer
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Updated 03/06/2015 at 07:43 GMT
Preston fan Linda Moon was visited in hospital by her favourite Preston players and given signed memorabilia after she claimed she was suffering from incurable blood and bowel cancer – but she has now had to apologise after admitting that it was not true.
Linda Moon poses with the League One play-off trophy (Twitter)
Image credit: Eurosport
The 34-year-old lifelong fan of the club was given a minute’s applause during the League One play-off final win over Swindon Town as a gesture of support and the trophy was even taken to her home for her to hold after the triumph.
But after rumours began to circulate on social media that Moon was not as ill as she made out, she subsequently admitted in a heartbreaking interview on local radio station Rock FM that she had actually lied about having cancer.
As she explained, she instead suffers from Vascular Ehlers disease - a condition that affects her blood and skin.
Moon wrote in April that her dying wish was to see Preston promoted – which they duly achieved with their thrilling Wembley victory – but has now had to apologise, saying she was “truly sorry” for misleading the club and its fans about her condition.
"When my condition came out, it came out as cancer, and it all just spiralled out of control,” she told Rock FM.
"I have Vascular Ehlers disease which affects your blood and collagen which is what makes my stomach swell and haemorrhage.
"I should have corrected people but it had gone too far and I couldn't get myself out of it. I thought I should set the record straight but I never did it - I feel horrible for what I have done.
“I thought I should set the record straight but I never did it - I feel horrible for what I have done,” she added.
"All I can do is sincerely apologise from the bottom of my heart - it's not a nice thing to do to people.
"I have seen things that people have said about me, but I understand why they are saying it. I have hurt and upset a lot of people.
"I would just like to say I am truly sorry for not saying it is not terminal cancer."
Former England striker Kevin Davies, who gave Moon his play-off winning shirt, was particularly upset about her latest revelation after he lost both of his parents to cancer.
An online petition has been set up by Preston fans, which has picked up more than 800 signatures, demanding that Moon is banned from Deepdale for life.
Moon has promised to return the signed kits, balls and memorabilia that were given to her and said that she plans to formally apologise to the individuals involved.
Preston, who beat Swindon 4-0 with Jermaine Beckford scoring a memorable hat-trick at Wembley, have declined to comment.
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