Prostate Cancer UK is one of the main beneficiaries of the moustache-growing campaign Movember – which raises funds and awareness for men’s health initiatives.

This year’s Movember campaign is celebrating what it means to be a better man, by sharing knowledge from one generation to the next. In honour of this noble cause, we asked football writer Luke Moore, of the Football Ramble podcast, to select his top nine father-and-son duos in football – as prostate cancer will affect one in nine men in the UK.

Register to take part at Movember.com, and join the Football League network.

Read on for Luke’s famous footballing dynasties…

Bruce and son: Steve in his United days; Alex plays for his dad at Hull. Photos courtesy of Action Images

 

1. Harry and Jamie Redknapp
Coming in literally at the top of this list, Marks and Spencer-wearing, Thomas Cook-holidaying Jamie and his dad Harry (real name ‘Arry) Redknapp are the king and crown prince of English football. Playing (both), managing (‘Arry), coaching (both), punditry (both), looking good in suits (only Jamie – I really can’t emphasise that enough) – they’ve done it all. Jamie’s even launched his own range of pants in support of Prostate Cancer UK. I was going to mention something about Redknapp Sr being a dab hand in the transfer market as well, but I think I’ll leave it there. You know how sensitive he gets.

2. Steve and Alex Bruce
We all know Steve Bruce, both as rock-solid centrepiece of Manchester United’s defence in the 90s and manager of a myriad of mediocre teams since, all while rocking a nose that looks like something a small child has drawn on his face in crayon, blindfolded. His son Alex is something of a journeyman, and after nasty Neil Warnock refused to renew his contract at Leeds last year he ran home crying to daddy, who promptly offered him a nice two-year contract at Hull with which to mop up his tears. Ah, bless. That’s it son, get it all out.

3. Sir Alex and Darren Ferguson
Unable to emulate his dad’s playing career (although he does have a Premier League winners’ medal to his name), Darren Ferguson is at least moving some way towards aping him in the dugout, having steered Peterborough to three promotions in two spells at the club. During his most recent promotion campaign, his side managed to score 106 goals while simultaneously having the second-worst defence in the division, making the Posh one of the few places in English football where a season ticket might actually be quite good value for money.

4. Frank and Frank Lampard
Two men forever confused by the chant ‘There’s only one Frank Lampard’, Frank Lampard Jr (as he’s inexplicably no longer known) and his dad are as thick as thieves. Lampard Jr has gone on to exceed anything his father achieved in the game, clocking up 93 England caps compared to his dad’s two. Related to the Redknapps (Harry is Frank Jr's uncle), rumours of a family-based soap opera when all parties have retired from the game are sadly still unconfirmed, but watch this space: it’s 2012 and Channel 5 will buy anything.

5. Sam and Craig Allardyce
Struggling to emerge from his father’s literal and figurative shadow, Craig Allardyce once misinterpreted Big Sam’s command to ‘go and pick up a Chinese’ – he turned out five times for Guangdong Hyongjuan in the Jia-A League in 1994. It’s the only explanation I can think of for a man who otherwise made a handful of appearances for lower-league teams suddenly pitching up in China. Craig also remains the only man to move from a Chinese club to Northwich Victoria, a fact I haven’t checked but simply must be true.

6. Peter and Kasper Schmeichel
Terrifying goal-repeller Peter was the greatest keeper in the world in the 90s. So far Kasper has failed to make even the tiniest dent into his Dad’s 129 caps for Denmark, but at the age of 25 there’s still time. Playing for the full national team would obviously mean he’d have to fraternise with Nicklas Bendtner though, something Schmeichel Sr would surely never approve of. It’s easy to imagine Kasper deliberately levelling Nicklas with a trademark star jump one night after training as his dad stands in the background nodding approvingly, his red nose puncturing the darkness. "Good work son," he’d say, "NOW you’re a Schmeichel."

7. Gordon and Gavin Strachan
When asked for a “quick word” in a post-match interview as manager of Middlesbrough, Gordon Strachan once replied, sharp as a tack: "Velocity." The wag. Sadly, velocity isn’t a word one would associate with his son’s career, a man who knocked about the lower and non-leagues before ending his playing days with a solitary appearance for St Neots Town. Gordon fared much better, winning a hatful of trophies both north and south of the border while simultaneously managing to hone his range of witty broadsides. Impressive.

8. Brian and Nigel Clough
Despite not learning to speak until the age of 14 because he couldn’t get a word in edgeways, Nigel Clough managed to become the second-highest scorer in Nottingham Forest’s history, usually with his old man calling the shots from the dugout. Clough jr is now the manager of Derby County, though it’ll be difficult for him to emulate his dad’s success because winning back-to-back European Cups just doesn’t happen anymore – especially not when you’ve got Conor Sammon up front. Shame.

9. Johan and Jordi Cruyff
“It’s no good, I just can’t do it anymore! Why did you have to be SO GOOD?” whimpered Jordi Cruyff to the man who sired him, tossing his football boots into the sea after making his last appearance for Valletta in the Maltese Premier League. To be fair to Jordi, his career wasn’t too bad. A title winner with Manchester United, he also racked up more than 50 appearances for Barcelona. Unfortunately though, when your Dad has moved beyond footballer to become a cultural touchpoint for a whole nation, that just doesn’t cut it. Johan probably just laughed and carried on sucking his lollipop before kicking sand in his tearful son’s face.

For more Movember-related musings, check out our Moustachioed Legends XI.

How you can get involved

Prostate cancer affects one in nine men in the UK – that means a man is diagnosed every 15 minutes.  Each year the Movember Foundation encourages men to grow moustaches during November and, in the process, raises considerable amounts of money for charity.

As Prostate Cancer UK is the official charity partner of the Football League, we want to make this football’s most successful contribution to Movember ever.

We’ve created a team for each of the 72 Football League clubs on the Movember website, so when you register you can start to grow a Mo on behalf of the team you support. Here’s how:

1.      Register at movember.com
2.      Join your club’s team using the search bar on the site
3.      Ask your friends and family to take part too
4.      Get growing your moustache from 1 November
5.      Encourage your friends and family to support your efforts by donating money.

Best of luck!