Cardiff City management and players are supporting Bluebirds club doctor Len Nokes in a personal quest.

Manager Neil Warnock, captain Sean Morrison and the entire first team squad gathered at Cardiff City Stadium for the launch of a new book written by Nokes (Only Time Will Tell: A Father’s Journey).

“I was emotional and shed tears four or five times,” said Warnock after reading the story of Len’s daughter Claire, who passed away during October 2017.

“The first thing I did after finishing the book was ring my daughter, who is 21, and to tell how much I love her because you realise it could be you. It could quite easily be any of us and that’s why you’ve got to enjoy every minute with your family.

“When you read the book, you know he was close (to breaking down) once or twice and you’re not surprised. I had a few days with him during this period where I knew he needed a little bit of our support.

Went to the book launch of @OnlyTimeBook today @ the CCS today. Len Nokes has written such a heart wrenching story about the passing of his daughter. Read the book from start to finish. Really emotional read and as a dad can’t imagine what he went through. @TheBHF @CardiffCityFC pic.twitter.com/6qAtNqRtJc

— lee paterson (@leepato) July 2, 2019

“I’m glad he came through it because he’s tremendous, as is his wife Sarah as well. You just don’t think it can happen to you. 

“I think finally he can see light whereas he’s had some really dark times. Writing the book really helped to get that out.

“Len is a shy guy, really. Keeps in the background. 

“But whether it’s the players or the physiotherapists, they all treat him as dad really. I’m the same – and I’m older than him.

“The book shows that it can happen to anybody – this terrible incident. That’s what brings it home to you.”

Only Time Will Tell: A Father’s Journey is Claire’s story, as told by Len. 

https://twitter.com/CAVDirofComms/status/1146099683561021440

It is also a recollection of the time Claire spent in hospital and how her family and friends rallied around her – and each other – as they came to terms with the tragic circumstances that had befallen them.

Claire suffered a hypoxic brain injury during December 2016 and would be in a vegetative state for the next (and last) eight months of her life.

She had suffered a cardiac arrest, subsequently confirmed as having been brought on by a condition called myocarditis and passed away on October 3, 2017.

Warnock described the book as ‘a hard read, but a compulsive read’ during the launch in Cardiff City’s club superstore.

Club doctor Nokes has worked for the Bluebirds for 28 years – and arguably saved the life of centre-half Morrison after he fell ill at home last January.

He reportedly came within 45 minutes of death due to a burst appendix. 

Morrison initially turned down medical help, believing he was suffering from a stomach bug, but his wife Stacey stepped in and rang club doctor Nokes.

The medic was quick to see the danger and insisted his team’s skipper was taken to A&E, the Express reports.

“Len shouted at me and sent me to the hospital,” says Morrison. “Without my missus and the doctor I would probably have stayed at home that night. 

“I would not have known I had something wrong with my appendix and things could have been a lot worse than what happened. Once it burst, sepsis starts kicking in and it can become extremely dangerous. 

“Potentially they saved my life because my appendix burst when I was in hospital and if that had happened when I was at home it would have been an ambulance job. Four out of 10 people who have sepsis die so it’s not a great situation to be in.

“Len is one of those people you gravitate towards. He has a kind heart, a family man, and an all round good guy. He’s one of those guys you want to surround yourself with. 

“The last couple of years have been difficult for him and his family. it’s not been great, but for us as a squad, the gaffer, and the Cardiff City family to surround him and his family to try and help him as much as possible shows what we’re about.

“I think I talk to the Doc more than I talk to some of the lads. Since I’ve been here he’s become one of my friends and he’s somebody I see outside of work. He’s an incredible man.”

Manager Warnock also talked about Dr Nokes’ intervention which saved Morrison, saying: :”It was close. I didn’t realise it was as close as it was. If the doc hadn’t been exceptionally quick with his diagnosis, it could have been very difficult for Sean.”

Former Cardiff midfield player Stephen McPhail is also close to Dr Nokes and presented him Outstanding Contribution award at the Cardiff City awards night.

“The man helped me through the toughest part of my life,” said Macca, now sporting director at Shamrock Rovers.

“I had an illness while I was at the club and everybody was unbelievable, but Len was particularly special. He turned into a father for me and I appreciated it so much.”

Central defender Sol Bamba was helped by Dr Nokes after suffering injury last season and says: “He has been massive since I came to the club. He’s like the gaffer – a father figure to me.

“We had some good chats at difficult times after I was injured and they helped me immensely.

“I have read his book. He is brave – it could not have been easy. Credit to Len. 

“I have two daughters myself and cannot imagine what he went through.”

Bluebirds fans, hospital nurses – ‘angels’ said Dr Nokes – plus representatives from the British Heart Foundation and Prop Appeal charities filled the superstore for the book launch.

He spoke with deep emotion, his voice faltering at times, saying: “Sitting holding Claire’s hand in hospital I promised I would write a book on what she was going through and what I went through. 

“It’s my journey. How I was feeling, what I was going through,

“Everybody will have their own journey reading the book. It will be an experience, not an easy read. Quite hard, but you should read it to get the experience from it.

“I wanted to write this book to celebrate the beautiful life of my caring, loving daughter. I hope that it will be of some benefit and comfort to families experiencing similar circumstances to those we faced, whilst raising further awareness of heart-related conditions.” 

“If this helps one person or saves one persons life then it will all have been worthwhile.”

All proceeds from the publication are being split equally between British Heart Foundation and the Rookwood Hospital-based Prop Appeal.

‘Only Time Will Tell: A Father’s Journey,  is  available now  for  £7.95  (plus  postage  and  packaging) via www.cardiffcityfc.co.uk/OnlyTime2019. The book will also be available from selected British Heart Foundation stores around Wales later and are also available for collection from the Cardiff City Superstore.