A minute's applause will be held tomorrow in tribute to the career of former Barrow and Carlisle United star Nick Anderton.

The defender, who played for both Cumbrian clubs, today announced his retirement as he fights cancer.

Anderton's former clubs meet at Holker Street in League Two action on Saturday.

And it has been announced that a minute's applause will take place in the 27th minute of the game - with Saturday being Anderton's 27th birthday.

Barrow announced the planned tribute on social media.

The Bluebirds wrote: "Today, Nick Anderton sadly announced his retirement from football.

"Tomorrow is his 27th Birthday. We invite all Barrow and Carlisle United supporters to join us in a minute's applause in the 27th minute tomorrow, to celebrate his career and service to both clubs."

Anderton played for Barrow in three spells from 2014-17, and was with Carlisle from 2020-21, a spell in which he captained the Blues.

The defender, latterly with Bristol Rovers, announced his retirement as he undergoes  treatment for osteosarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer.

Anderton underwent surgery to remove part of his right thigh bone, and is currently undergoing chemotherapy.

He said he was "at peace" with his retirement decision, which he said came about because of the implications of the operation he had in October 2022 to remove a tumour from his right femur.

“This resulted in a complete knee replacement, and a further 12cm of my femur replaced," he said.

“There was optimism that I could return to playing, after the initial planned operation/treatment, but a scan five days prior revealed it would not be safe if they didn’t replace the full joint, therefore the operation changed.”