AFC Wimbledon assistant manager Terry Skiverton has received a diagnosis of throat cancer. The coach, who is 51, is set to start treatment soon and has the complete backing of the club and the League Managers Association. The news comes as the first-team squad, for which Skiverton is a key figure, sits 16th in League One with 12 points from 11 games, having recorded three wins and three draws.
The club shared the news officially, stating that everyone connected with the team offers their sincere support. A club statement said, "Everyone at AFC Wimbledon sends Terry their heartfelt best wishes as he prepares for the next stage of his treatment." The League Managers Association has also been assisting Skiverton for several months.
This represents another health issue for the assistant, who recently needed a break from his role to heal from an operation on his ankle. He became part of the club's staff in 2022 and played an important role behind the scenes in the team's successful push for promotion to a higher division via the playoffs.
The diagnosis emerges during a period of poor results for the senior team, which currently holds a mid-table position. Their recent form shows no wins, two draws and three defeats from their last five matches, a run that includes losing their last three. This sequence features a 3-0 home loss to Mansfield Town on Tuesday 20 October and a 5-0 defeat at Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday 17 October. Overall this season, the team has scored just 7 goals while conceding 18, leaving them 10 points behind the league leaders, Stockport County. Their top scorer this season is J. Stockley with 4 goals in 11 appearances.
The team's upcoming game is an important home contest scheduled for Saturday afternoon against Wycombe on Saturday 24 October. Manager Johnnie Jackson and the players are now focusing on that next league match. The club has committed to supporting Skiverton and his family during his treatment and recovery.
