Live the dream: lead out City at SJP

Prostate Cancer UK offering seasoned supporters the chance to run out with their heroes

Football fans from Exeter are being offered a once in a lifetime opportunity to be the guest of honour at St James Park at the match against Cheltenham on Saturday 12th April, thanks to Prostate Cancer UK – the Official Charity Partner of the Football League.

The pioneering partnership between Prostate Cancer UK and the Football League aims to reach over 16 million fans across the terraces up and down the country, raising awareness of the disease which affects 1 in 8 men sometime in their life and kills over 10,000 men a year. 

This season for the first time ever, a new super team featuring football managers, players, fans and football club staff join arms as ‘Men United’ to face prostate cancer head on by encouraging men everywhere to wise up to the disease and take action – and for one afternoon, Grecians skipper Danny Coles will hand on the mantle to a lucky fan.

The lucky football fan will not only have the honour of leading their team out onto hallowed turf before kick-off and enjoy an exclusive behind-the-scenes experience at Exeter City, the winner will also represent Men United in the battle against prostate cancer by putting aside their local football rivalries.

Already in this campaign Blackburn Rovers and Bradford City have been represented by supporters in their respective fixtures with Charlton Athletic and Wolverhampton Wanderers in October.

To follow in their footsteps and join the battle against prostate cancer in your region and to be in with the chance of securing this once in a lifetime opportunity to lead your team out on a matchday, visit prostatecanceruk.org/lead where there are full terms and conditions.  Open to fans aged 18 and over only.

Exeter City club captain Danny Coles said: “I’m immensely proud to be captain of this club and leading the team out on match days is the ultimate accolade.

“It’s great that a loyal fan will get to experience the buzz of emerging on to the pitch with their heroes as well as representing Men United, a team backed not just by the St James Park faithful, but by a nation of supporters.

“Prostate Cancer UK is doing great work, and good luck to all those who enter.”

Prostate Cancer UK’s Mark Bishop, said: “This is an exciting time to be the long-term Official Charity Partner of the Football League, pooling our strength to help more men survive prostate cancer and enjoy a better quality of life. 

“Fans of all ages dream of leading their heroes out on a matchday and to be the guest of honour escorting a team out of the tunnel before kick-off is certainly a money-can’t-buy experience.  We’re delighted to be able to make some dreams come true for all those big kids at heart in Exeter and Devon. 

“Our aim is to deliver the ultimate team-talk; to fire up men to take urgent action, not shirk this challenge and tackle this killer disease head on.  Prostate cancer affects 1 in 8 men at some time during their lifetime and with the disease increasing at an alarming rate across our stadiums, this is one challenge we can’t afford to lose.”

To get the exclusive chance to take the lead at your favourite club, visit prostatecanceruk.org/lead where you can also register for Prostate Cancer UK’s regular football newsletter packed full of all the latest Men United news and features by the finest football writers on the web.  Sign up today to also be in with the chance to win a pair of tickets to the Capital One Cup final.

If you have concerns about prostate cancer please call Prostate Cancer UK’s confidential Helpline on 0800 074 8383 or visit www.prostatecanceruk.org.  The helpline is free to landlines, staffed by specialist nurses, and open from 9am to 6pm Monday to Friday with late opening until 8pm on Wednesdays.