Football League clubs saddle up in fight against prostate cancer
Fans of Morecambe Football Club are being called upon to join the ultimate World Cup warm-up by saddling up for a memorable bike ride from London to Amsterdam in support of Prostate Cancer UK – The Football League’s long-term Official Charity Partner.
England’s World Cup campaign has been set and less than a week before the tournament kicks off in Brazil, representatives from all 72 Football League clubs can join former England star Luther Blissett on the road to the Netherlands.
From The Matchroom Stadium (the home of Leyton Orient FC) to the heart of Amsterdam, riders will have plenty of time to reflect on their respective team’s campaigns, as well as looking forward to the upcoming feast of samba football.
MFC ‘Ambassador’ (tbc) will lead the Shrimps contingent, and by using pedal power to conquer the picturesque 150-mile challenge riders will be helping more men survive prostate cancer and enjoy a better quality of life.
One in eight men will be affected by prostate cancer and there are 250,000 men living with the disease in the UK. We are calling on all Morecambe FC supporters to ask who is able to join up to 62 other Clubs in the peloton and wear their club colours with pride.”
The Grand Depart is in East London early on Friday, 6 June, from Leyton Orient’s Matchroom Stadium, heading out of London through rural English countryside, and stopping off at a second ground, Colchester United’s Weston Homes Community Stadium, for refreshments.
After completing the 90 mile sojourn to Harwich by dusk, the intrepid team cross the Channel overnight, before riding a further 60 miles across the flat landscape of Dutch Zeeland. The climax sees the peloton arrive in the country’s capital and its network of canals, cobbled streets and wonderful architecture.
There will be a chance to wind down and reflect on a notable effort, on Saturday night in the city centre before a less energy-sapping return to London, via Eurostar, after lunch the next day.
Former England, Watford and AC Milan Striker, Luther Blissett, who has already signed up for the London to Amsterdam ride as part of Prostate Cancer UK’s team, challenged more people to get involved, saying: “Get your World Cup fever on and ride to Amsterdam with me and a bunch of fantastic people from across The Football League.
“If last year was anything to go by we’re going to have a great time on the way and when we get there. Sign up, challenge yourself and raise money to support the 250,000 men living with prostate cancer in the UK.
Director of Fundraising at Prostate Cancer UK, Mark Bishop added: "There’s been an excellent response from everyone who is helping make it possible within The Football League for what’s sure to be a really exciting and entertaining event.
“Our club captains have been busy building up their teams and it will be fantastic to see so many people saddling up for a serious test of cycling when they convene at Leyton Orient in June. The London to Amsterdam event is shaping up to be a key event on the calendar and we’re delighted to see Luther Blissett showing his support by joining the peloton.
“From the shadow of the Olympic Stadium to the heart of the Netherlands’ principle city, it’s the perfect warm-up to the World Cup as we promote and raise money for a hugely important cause.
“Prostate cancer kills one man every hour in the UK with one in eight men likely to be diagnosed with the disease at some point in their lifetime. We want to be there for men and continue the fight against this killer disease.”
Fans can find more details and sign up at prostatecanceruk.org/amsterdam to represent their club for the London-Amsterdam cycling challenge.
Prostate Cancer UK asks cyclists to raise a minimum of £1,000. The registration fee is £149 and spaces are unlimited.
To 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 visit prostatecanceruk.org/football. Sign up today to 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.
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