Millwall’s Neil Harris and Hull City’s Matt Duke are united in their fight against testicular cancer, but this weekend loyalties will be divided as they face each other in the FA cup fourth round.
Striker Neil Harris is looking to further extend his position as Millwall’s all time, leading scorer by getting past keeper Matt Duke and netting the goals that send Premiership side Hull City crashing out of the FA cup.
Neil and Matt take part in the Keep Your Eye on The Ball 5k Run
Duke and Harris are good friends off the pitch and work together raising awareness of, and funds for testicular cancer research at the Everyman Male Cancer Campaign, after both having survived the disease. However such allegiances will swiftly be forgotten on Saturday when the Division 1 Lions battle the Premiership Tigers.
“Matt and I have fought on the same side against testicular cancer and been through so much, but this weekend we’ll definitely be lining up as opponents,” Harris said.
“It’ll be great to pit our wits against each other and hopefully I’ll be the one celebrating when the final whistle blows.”
Duke was diagnosed with testicular cancer 12 months ago but has since made a successful come back for Hull City and played a starring role in the last round by keeping a clean sheet against Newcastle United.
“Neil’s a great lad but friendship won’t be a factor that will come into play on Saturday. Both Millwall and Hull are having great seasons but I’m confident we can go one better by knocking Millwall out this weekend.”
Everyman's press officer Tatjana awards Matt Duke with a medal
No matter which team you will be supporting this weekend get behind Everyman and visit www.justgiving.com/mattduke or www.justgiving.com/neilharris and make a donation for Duke or Harris today.
Everyman is also pleased to announce that it will continue to be working alongside The FA as one of their charity partners during 2009. Everyman’s Keep Your Eye on the Ball campaign was established in 2000 and will continue to raise awareness of male cancers within the football community with this year’s focus fortnight in April.
For more information please contact Jon Street on 020 7153 5542 or you can email him at jonathan.street@icr.ac.uk