Prostate Cancer UK will celebrate a 10-year milestone working with Non-League Day this weekend, with Jeff Stelling encouraging all supporters, including those of Wolves, to take part.
Always scheduled to coincide with an international period, Non-League Day provides a platform for clubs to promote the importance of affordable volunteer-led community football, while giving fans across the country the chance to show support for their local non-league side.
For the last decade Prostate Cancer UK have worked side by side with the popular annual football matchday experience, raising money to fund lifesaving research and to increase the knowledge and awareness of prostate cancer - the most common cancer in men.
From wig-wearing, branded armbands and a unique match ball inscribed by men affected by prostate cancer, to multiple match day collections, ‘Man of Men’ badge-wearing, branded clubhouses, crossbar challenges and epic walks to games, Non-League Day has always caught the imagination among the grassroots game for those wishing to support Prostate Cancer UK.
Wolves captain Maximilian Kilman started his career in non-league football with Marlow, and most famously Maidenhead United, who take on Rochdale in one of a host of matches taking place on Non-League Day across the country on Saturday.
Kilman said: “I’m proud to lead Wolves in the Premier League and testing myself against some of the world’s best attacking players week on week is an absolute privilege, and one I never take for granted, but non-league was where it started for me, and playing for Marlow and Maidenhead provided a brilliant grounding for me.
“Non-League Day has been a big – and really important – part of the calendar for many years now, and it’s something I’ll always get behind. They have been working alongside Prostate Cancer UK for the past decade raising money for and awareness about the most common cancer in men. I was shocked to hear the statistics about the disease, that one in eight men will get prostate cancer, so it’s great to see the football family coming together.
“I know Wolves have always warmly supported the work of the charity across many different events, so I’m delighted to lend my support and pose with their special limited-edition banner. I’d encourage any Wolves fans to support their local club this weekend and also understand their risk of prostate cancer.”
Seven non-league stadiums within ten miles of Molineux are celebrating Non-League Day this weekend, including Bilston Town, Tividale, Rushall Olympic and Stourbridge.
For presenter and Prostate Cancer UK ambassador Stelling, his club Hartlepool United visit Eastleigh in the National League, one of 10 focus matches across the UK to mark the 10 years.
He said: “While I was hugely disappointed with Hartlepool’s relegation last season, there are some bright spots, and being back in the National League means we are part of Non-League Day once more. Even more impressively, it’s against my local club Eastleigh, so the football fixture gods have been smiling on me.
“Non-League Day is a really important – and influential campaign – something I always get behind. For the last decade they have been proudly working with Prostate Cancer UK. It’s such a good partnership which allows a brilliant charity which means so much to me to continue their lifesaving work across the football landscape. Non-League Day is the perfect platform to do that. See you there.”
What’s more, fans from Aveley to Yeovil Town – and everyone in between – can get involved on the day, from shaking a bucket, walking to the game or wearing the iconic Man of Men badge. Football fans can also check their risk of prostate cancer on the Non-League website ahead of day as well as finding a local fixture to attend.
Prostate Cancer UK Chief Executive, Laura Kerby, said: “We are excited to be marking our tenth anniversary this year with Non-League Day. This is always an important day on the football calendar, particularly for us, as the spotlight falls on the grassroots game, and our collaboration with Non-League Day will not only put us at the heart of the action, but will be a gamechanger for those men and their loved ones affected by prostate cancer. We thank James Doe and the Non-League Day family, all the clubs, staff and players, and of course the fans for all their support.”
Non-League Day founder James Doe said: “It's been great working with Prostate Cancer UK over the last 10 years. We originally chose them as we knew they did great work throughout the football community. It's been very satisfying to see non-league clubs and their fans so willing to engage with the charity, and we hope they can do so again to mark this milestone year.”
You can find out your risk via the charity’s 30 second online risk checker here: prostatecanceruk.org/nld10-risk.
Visit the Non-League Day website to find a fixture near you. For clubs and fans wishing to support Prostate Cancer UK on the day, email football@prostatecanceruk.org to find out more.
