Glenn's Christmas Wish

Glenn Roeder is looking to put a difficult year behind him - and says he hopes West Ham win promotion this season.

Responding to ongoing queries about his health, he says:

"I have always had great support from the people closest to me; I have a small circle of friends and family that have been great.

"But the most important thing is that physically and mentally I have never felt unwell since the first day I went back to Chadwell Heath six weeks after the operation.

"That is all credit to the ability of the doctors and the surgeon.

"I have regular appointments and whenever I have seen the neurologist or the surgeon they have been very pleased with me.

"I am happy and healthy as I have always been, I feel physically and mentally good, and am looking forward to the new year."

Glenn is keeping his fingers crossed that West Ham win promotion at the first time of asking, and he says:

"It is half way through and I remain optimistic that West Ham will have a good season and will bring about what every West Ham supporter wants, which is getting into the Premiership."

Clearly, a year in which he collapsed with a brain tumour, suffered relegation, and then had to leave a job he was immensely proud of doing does not go down as the best in Glenn's life, but he is determined to bounce back.

"2003, it goes without saying, was a nasty year but I look forward to the second half of the season with optimism.

"There were plenty of lows but there were still some highs; it was not all doom and gloom, you have to look at the positives, but there were some major events that can't be forgotten.

"It is a fresh start and I hope I can make 2004 better than 2003.

"I am looking for a new challenge in football and that inspires me but there is no need to rush back; I am enjoying working for the BBC and am looking forward to seeing Joe Cole, Glen Johnson, and Frank Lampard on 28th for Chelsea against Portsmouth."

But he is itching to get back into football 'proper' and adds:

"It is a long time since I have been home for Boxing day and the new year and I would prefer to be out there working but I think the family are looking forward to having me at home.

"My Boxing days have always been made up of football and unfortunately this year it won't be."

Glenn has replied to the hundreds of well wishers, some of whom are as far away as New Zealand, and he says:

"I have written back to everyone and I have bumped into so many people that have thanked me for taking the time when it wasn't needed to send a reply."