It is the most prevalent form of cancer among young men between 18 and 35, and the recent cases of Alan Stubbs and Neil Harris brought the message home that football is not immune from the disease. However, over 90% of cases can be successfully treated if diagnosed early enough, and The F.A. has provided funding for a wide-reaching poster and information campaign to ensure that players, coaches, administrators and fans have access to the full facts and are responsible about checking themselves.

The campaign was officially launched on Wednesday 3rd October with a photo call featuring England internationals Rio Ferdinand and Steven Gerrard posing in "Keep your Eye on the Ball" t-shirts and the campaign’s signature "lumpy ball". Over the next few days, posters and information packs will be distributed to all FA Premier League, Football League and Football Conference clubs, as well as County FAs and other grassroots football bodies around the country.

F.A. Chairman Geoff Thompson said: "The F.A. is delighted to be involved in this campaign to raise awareness of one of the most prevalent forms of male cancers. As recent cases have unfortunately demonstrated, footballers are not immune to this terrible disease, and we have teamed up with the PFA, the Institute of Cancer Research and the Imperial Cancer Research Fund to make sure that players, coaches, fans and everyone involved in football at all levels has access to the full facts and advice on what to do."

The recent examples of Neil Harris and Alan Stubbs have demonstrated that testicular cancer can be successfully fought, and their courage has been an inspiration to us all. I am confident that the "Keep your eye on the ball" campaign will ensure that football is better informed and more self-aware."

His view was echoed by F.A. Head of  Medicine and Exercise Science Alan Hodson: "As the governing body for football in England, The F.A. recognises our responsibility to take the lead on matters of health awareness. Testicular cancer is the most common cancer among young men between 18 and 35, roughly the time span of an average football career, so players need to be self aware, vigilant and responsible. But they are not the only ones, and are campaign is aimed at everyone within the football community, at all levels of the game.

While the number of cases has risen dramatically over the past few years, in over 90% of cases the disease can be successfully combated if diagnosed and treated early enough. "Keep your Eye on the Ball" aims to ensure that the football community has access to comprehensive information about this disease. Our message is: learn the facts, check yourself regularly, and don’t be embarrassed to seek medical advice if in doubt. We hope that this campaign will make that message clear."

The Keep Your Eye on the Ball campaign would like to thank the following clubs for their support:

AFC Bournemouth
Arsenal FC
Barnet FC
Blackburn Rovers FC
Blackpool FC
Bolton Wanderers FC
Bradford City FC
Brighton & Hove Albion FC
Bristol City FC
Burnley FC
Cardiff City FC
Derby County FC
Doncaster Rovers FC
Everton FC
Exeter City FC
Grimsby Town FC
Ipswich Town FC
Macclesfield Town FC
Manchester United FC
Mansfield Town FC
Margate FC
Morecambe FC
Newcastle United FC
Northampton Town FC
Nottingham Forest FC
Notts County FC
Nuneaton Borough FC
Oldham Athletic FC
Peterborough United FC
Plymouth Argyle FC
Preston North End FC
Queens Park Rangers FC
Reading FC
Rotherham United FC
Rushden & Diamonds FC
Sheffield Wednesday FC
Southend United FC
Stalybridge Celtic FC
Stockport County FC
Swansea City FC
Swindon Town FC
Telford United FC
Tottenham Hotspur FC
Tranmere Rovers FC
Watford FC
West Bromwich Albion FC
Wigan Athletic FC
Wimbledon FC
Woking FC
Wolverhampton Wanderers FC
Wycombe Wanderers FC
Yeovil Town FC
York City FC