Millwall’s top scorer of all time Neil Harris and Hull City goalkeeper Matt Duke came face to face on a football pitch for the first time ever at the weekend with a lot in common. Both players have successfully overcome testicular cancer in the past few years and now help raise funds for Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) by organising fun runs through the Neil Harris Everyman Appeal.
The Everyman Appeal aims to raise awareness of male cancers while fundraising via the annual ‘Keep Your Eye on the Ball’ 5km run, among other activities. Some of those who lined up against each other at the KC stadium in Hull at the weekend took part in the last charity run, with several of Duke’s team-mates joining him.
Millwall’s all time leading scorer, Neil Harris, said
‘I set up the Neil Harris Everyman Appeal to try to raise awareness by using the football profile – not just me, but football in general – to raise awareness that it is not a taboo subject and we have to face up to it.’
Duke says Harris’s story helped him to come to terms with his own cancer issues and when the draw for the match was made, facing Millwall’s top scorer was the first thought that crossed his mind. Harris balks at the idea he increased understanding of the disease in football, instead he feels he was lucky in his chosen profession.
‘I live in the dressing room atmosphere – you’re used to walking around with no clothes on, you’re used to going to see the club doctor and being checked for hernias and things like that. So, in a way I was lucky because as soon as I felt I had a problem I felt very comfortable ringing up the club doctor. I felt comfortable doing that, but the big thing with men is that it is a taboo subject and it is embarassing to go see the doctor and say, ‘Can you check my testicles?’
Sunday’s game ended with not just a 2-0 victory to Hull, but also the meeting of two courageous footballers who defeated a fierce disease who are just happy to be playing football.
