Bristol Rovers coach Paul Raynor diagnosed with bowel cancer and urges fans to get tested

Bristol Rovers assistant manager Paul Raynor has revealed he has been diagnosed with bowel cancer, vowing to continue working on matchdays while undergoing chemotherapy and radiotherapy starting this month.

Raynor, 60, said doctors discovered a tumour after he submitted a routine sample — a step he credits entirely to his wife, Karen. “I was a typical man and left it, with my wife badgering me into doing it,” he explained. “So I did it and a week later I was told there was an abnormal reading, and I had to go in for a full check. Within an hour, I was sat with a consultant and being told they had found a tumour.”

The former Swansea City, Nottingham Forest, Preston North End and Cambridge United midfielder was told the cancer had not spread to any major organs and that the chances of a successful outcome were high. “We’re going to try and beat this. We will beat this and then be back on the grass helping the guys later in the season with a bit of luck,” Raynor said.

Despite the diagnosis, Raynor intends to remain as involved as his health allows. “The plan is I’m going to be here as much as possible. I’m going to be there on matchdays, and I aim to be and I want to be. If I’m well enough, I certainly will be.”

Raynor joined Bristol Rovers in December 2025 when Steve Evans was appointed manager, the ninth club the pair have worked at together across a 25-year partnership that has also included spells at Rotherham United, Leeds United and Stevenage. He described Evans’ support during the past few weeks as “absolutely immense”.

Raynor used his diagnosis to deliver a direct public health message, urging anyone with concerns to seek testing without delay. “If it wasn’t for my good lady, Karen, I wouldn’t have sent the sample off and it could’ve been too late,” he said. “They’re telling me there’s a good chance it’s curable but if I hadn’t done that sample it could’ve been a lot, lot worse. The message is: get your samples done, whatever tests you need go and get it done because it’s massively important.”

Bristol Rovers are currently third in the League Two table, level on points with leaders Barnet.