Reds' players will wear T-shirts and wristbands to raise awareness of men's cancers while warming up at home games.

 

The team is supporting the 'Watch Yourself' campaign being run by Barnsley Council's public health team and Barnsley Clinical Commissioning Group.

 

It aims to raise awareness of prostate and testicular cancer and raise money for cancer charities. It will target 50-year-olds, who are at higher risk of prostate cancer, and men under 40 for testicular cancer.

 

Former Reds' captain Luke Steele said: "This is a campaign that is close to our hearts and something that everyone at Barnsley Football Club is keen to get behind and support.

 

"We will do everything we can to reach out to our fan base and beyond, with the message that both prostate and testicular cancer is treatable, and even beatable, if detected early enough."

 

The T-shirts and wristbands will feature the 'Watch Yourself' slogan and volunteers will be at Oakwell to pass on potentially lifesaving information to thousands of supporters.

 

Sharon Stoltz, acting director of public health, said more men die from prostate cancer in Barnsley than anywhere else in the country, possibly because they do not see their GP soon enough.

 

She added: "I am delighted that Barnsley FC is supporting the 'Watch Yourself!' campaign, and hope it will encourage men to feel more confident about detecting the early signs of cancer and seeking help as quickly as possible."