Our Supporters
07 May 2024Premier League manager Rob Edwards lends his voice to our lifesaving work in football
As the 23/24 football season draws to a close our friends at Luton Town are fighting hard for survival in their inaugural season in The Premier League. Their manager, Rob Edwards, has worn his “Man of Men” badge with pride throughout their campaign. We find out why.
Twelve months ago, the phrases “Luton Town” and “Premier League” did not feature in the same sentence. Appointed in November 2022, after a brief spell at local rivals Watford, Rob Edwards led Luton Town’s promotion charge. By May 2023, the club was promoted to the football big time by virtue of a penalty shoot-out in the Championship Play-Off Finals at Wembley. Unbelievable, Jeff!
And it has been quite a journey. At the time of writing, despite competing on a lower budget, smaller attendances and a mounting injury list, Luton Town are fighting hard to preserve their Premier League status in the final few weeks of the season.
Throughout his tenure Hatters manager, Rob has proudly worn his “Man of Men” badge on the touch line and in the media continuing a history of support from Luton Town for Prostate Cancer UK dating back ten years.
“As the manager of Luton Town Football Club, I am immensely proud to lend my voice and support to Prostate Cancer UK this season. It’s been a memorable year on and off the pitch, and wearing my ‘Man of Men’ badge is an important gesture I wanted to make to support the charity, Mick Harford and everyone affected by the disease.” said Rob, 41, who represented Wales, and numerous clubs including Aston Villa, Derby County and Wolves across a 14 year playing career.
Luton Town's manager wearing Prostate Cancer UK's "Man of Men" is not the only way the club have shown support for Luton Town legend Mick Harford. They temporarily changed the name of their famous stadium, Kenilworth Road, to the Prostate Cancer UK stadium in 2015. Even more, 30 staff members joined Prostate United in 2022 to back Mick and raise thousands to fund lifesaving research to save men’s lives.
If we, as a club, can continue to help raise awareness of prostate cancer amongst our fan base and Premier League fans generally, and stand united with those affected, we can make a big difference in supporting those living with the disease.
“Mick has been hugely supportive during my time at the club and is loved by everyone at Luton Town. As we all know, following his own prostate cancer diagnosis, Prostate Cancer UK has been a cause close to his heart and one of the charities Luton Town and the local community have been happy to get behind.
“Since he went public with his diagnosis, it’s been great to see others come forward to bravely share their stories to raise awareness of a disease affecting 1 in 8 men.”
We’d like to thank Rob and the club for their ongoing support, we are keeping our fingers crossed for you.
Rob and Luton Town are part of a wider team of support of badge wearing, pavement pounding and awareness raising live savers playing their part for Prostate Cancer UK this season.
Former England and Crystal Palace manager, Roy Hodgson, Derby County manager Paul Warne, Doncaster Rovers manager Grant McCann and former Gillingham boss Stephen Clemence, son of the late great Ray Clemence, have all lent their support this year. With over 50 clubs and 800 club staff and fans taking on Prostate United, and many more football clubs supporting on Non-League Day it’s been another season of saving lives.
And we can’t finish any football feature for Prostate Cancer UK without mentioning Jeff Stelling MBE. Jeff and nearly 400 football fans helped raise over £391,000 walking 26-miles from Wembley to Wycombe in honour of the late Bill Turnbull, a former BBC presenter and Wycombe Wanderers fan.
Get the latest news about our work in football and how you can play your part to help save men’s lives.
Our season saving lives
Jeff Stelling’s Football March sponsored by Genesis Care
Strolling with Stelling from Wembley to Wycombe in honour of the late BBC Breakfast host and Chairboys fan Bill Turnbull.
INCREDIBLE!!! 😍@JeffStelling and 400 supporters have arrived at @wwfcofficial to a spectacular welcome!
— Prostate Cancer UK (@ProstateUK) September 17, 2023
Thank you each and every one of you!!!#JeffsMarch | @GenesisCare pic.twitter.com/Lsfdm94HNH
Former Manchester City boss Brian Horton shares prostate cancer diagnosis
Ex-City, Brighton, Luton, Oxford, Hull, Huddersfield and Port Vale boss goes public supported by Mick Harford.
⚽ New signing!
— Prostate Cancer UK (@ProstateUK) October 20, 2023
Ahead of the clash between his former clubs, Manchester City and Brighton, this weekend, @brian_horton4 has joined the #ProstateFC team and shared his own prostate cancer diagnosis.
Read more about Brian’s story: https://t.co/kznWWHP0jN@LMA_Managers #MCIBRI pic.twitter.com/zN266Tkd3v
#ProstateUnited
Football club staff and fans united for daily running, cycling and walking challenge throughout October.
Find out more about Prostate United in 2024
Celebrating Non-League Day
We marked ten years of partnership with Non-League Day on Saturday 23 March with a commemorative limited edition pennant shared throughout grassroots football.
Be like your gaffer. Get a “Man of Men” badge and check out our football merch in our online shop.
