Doncaster Rovers manager Grant McCann has spoken publicly for the first time about a diagnosis of malignant melanoma, reassuring supporters that he has come through the health scare in good health. The disclosure was made in an interview with BBC Radio Sheffield ahead of the club's League One trip to AFC Wimbledon.

The diagnosis

McCann confirmed to BBC Radio Sheffield that he had been diagnosed with malignant melanoma, a serious form of skin cancer. The 44-year-old was keen to stress, however, that he is now well. "Fortunately, I'm OK now," he said, according to the broadcaster, offering what will be a significant relief to supporters and everyone connected with the club.

The interview, which ran for approximately 14 minutes on 10 September 2026, represents the first time McCann has addressed the matter publicly. It is understood he chose to speak about the diagnosis in order to raise awareness rather than keep it private, a decision that has been widely praised within football circles.

Malignant melanoma is the most serious category of skin cancer. When caught at an early stage it is highly treatable, and McCann's assurance that he is now in good health suggests the condition was identified and dealt with promptly. He offered no further clinical detail in the broadcast excerpt available.

Football carries on

Despite the gravity of the personal news, McCann made clear he remains fully focused on Doncaster's League One campaign. The interview was framed around the upcoming away fixture at AFC Wimbledon, with the manager evidently in a position to prepare and manage as normal.

Rovers have had a mixed start to the third-tier season. Recent results include a 2-2 draw in which McCann acknowledged his side "kept giving it away," as well as a defeat against Plymouth Argyle in which he said Doncaster "got what we deserved." The trip to AFC Wimbledon represents another opportunity to build momentum, and the manager's willingness to address his health situation publicly ahead of a league fixture underlines his determination to move forward without distraction.

AFC Wimbledon, themselves a League One club navigating a busy early-season schedule having seen summer departures including winger Nkeng and midfielder Hackford, will provide a stiff test on the road for McCann's men.

A manager respected across the division

McCann, who has managed in the third tier across several spells during his career, is a well-regarded figure in League One. His decision to go public with his diagnosis is consistent with a broader movement across sport to normalise conversations about health and to encourage supporters and fellow professionals alike to seek medical attention promptly when symptoms arise.

Doncaster's players, backroom staff and the wider fanbase will no doubt be heartened by the manager's positive prognosis. The club has not issued a formal written statement at the time of publication, but McCann's own words on BBC Radio Sheffield leave little ambiguity: he is fit, he is working, and he is focused on the football.

Full details of the fixture at AFC Wimbledon, including kick-off time and team news, are expected to be confirmed through the club's official channels in due course.

Frequently asked

What illness has Doncaster Rovers manager Grant McCann been diagnosed with?
Grant McCann has been diagnosed with malignant melanoma, a serious form of skin cancer. He confirmed the diagnosis in an interview with BBC Radio Sheffield but stressed that he is now in good health.
Is Grant McCann still managing Doncaster Rovers after his cancer diagnosis?
Yes. McCann confirmed he is fit and well and remains in charge of Doncaster Rovers. He conducted the BBC Radio Sheffield interview ahead of a League One fixture at AFC Wimbledon, indicating he is carrying on with his managerial duties as normal.
When did Grant McCann reveal his melanoma diagnosis?
McCann spoke publicly about his diagnosis on 10 September 2026 in an interview with BBC Radio Sheffield, ahead of Doncaster Rovers' League One away match at AFC Wimbledon.