NRL news: Canturbury Bulldogs vow to help Sandy Campbell as he battles homelessness, cancer

The Bulldogs have been shocked to learn of former player, Sandy Campbell’s devastating plight, promising to help the former player in his time of need.

Former rugby league player Sandy Campbell is homeless and battling cancer.

The Canterbury Bulldogs and former players are reaching out to assist Sandy Campbell, the former NRL star who is homeless and fighting cancer.

The Daily Telegraph’s distressing story of Campbell’s plight and a photo of him pushing his belongings in a Coles shopping trolley has shocked the club where he played in the 80s.

“The Bulldogs have begun reaching out to see how we can assist,” said chairman John Khoury.

“Whether it be through housing, medical, financial assistance or other, we will try and do what we can to support our former player in his time of need.

Former rugby league player Sandy Campbell is homeless and battling cancer.

“Our priority at present is getting in touch with Sandy and representatives, on behalf of the club, have already made plans to travel to the area to look at what assistance can be provided with respect to his current circumstances.

“We have long been the family club and our stance is, ‘Once a Bulldog, always a Bulldog’. We intend to do as much as possible to assist Sandy, and his health and wellbeing are our utmost concern at this time.”

The problem is actually tracking down the 56-year-old, who has been homeless for several months in the Coolangatta and Tweed Heads areas.

The Daily Telegraph understands he regularly visits Tweed Heads Hospital for a six-hour chemotherapy treatment.

The Bulldogs have vowed to help the struggling former player. Picture: News Corp

Campbell was a cult hero throughout his 93-game career between 1986-91, where he enjoyed stints at Canterbury, Eastern Suburbs, then South Sydney.

His best season was in his third and final year at the Bulldogs, where the Papua New Guinean scored six tries in 16 games, before retiring with 17 tries in total.

He played alongside some of the Bulldogs’ best in that era, including Andrew Farrar, Terry Lamb, Paul Langmack, David Gillespie, Steve Folkes, Peter Tunks and Steve Mortimer. He was also coached by the Bulldogs’ current boss, Phil Gould.

The Bulldogs are looking at several options to assist including emergency accommodation, food and medical care. The Men of League organisation is also looking at ways to help.

Another former player, Kurt Landers, has set up a GoFundMe page.

Originally published as NRL news: Canturbury Bulldogs vow to help Sandy Campbell as he battles homelessness, cancer