The week 1st-8th February marks the second annual awareness week for Keep your Eye on the Ball, a campaign launched by The FA in partnership with The P.F.A., the Institute of Cancer Research, Cancer Research UK and Talksport radio, to raise awareness of testicular cancer within English football.

In total, over fifty clubs across the country, along with some of the game's biggest names, are helping to support the week by increasing public knowledge of the disease.

  
Testicular cancer is the most common cancer amongst young men between 20 and 35; the same age range as an average footballer's playing career.

The number of cases in the UK is rising dramatically every year, but over 95% can be successfully treated if diagnosed early enough, and that's why you need to know the facts.

 

 

England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson has given his full backing to the campaign, saying:

"Testicular cancer can affect everyone and as the cases of Alan Stubbs, Neil Harris, Jason Cundy and Craig Forrest have shown, the football community is not immune. Their courage in battling the disease should provide the inspiration for men to make themselves aware of the facts, check themselves regularly and not hesitate to seek medical advice."

A host of the Premierships leading stars, including several leading England players, have also lent their support.

During the course of the week Talksport will be broadcasting messages from the likes of Rio Ferdinand, Steven Gerrard, Gaery Neville, Joe Cole, and Jermaine Jenas, as well as host of interviews with FA Head of Medicine and Exercise Science Alan Hodson, PFA Chief Executive Gordon Taylor and a variety of medical experts and case studies.

On Tuesday, 4th February The FA will host a football photography exhibition and competition based around Keep Your Eye on the Ball, with Sven-Goran Eriksson and Gordon Taylor joining celebrity photographer Rankin to choose some of the best footballing pictures of 2002, with contributions from leading agencies and national newspapers.

 

The FA has also planned a number of initiatives based around the England - Australia match on 12th February to promote Keep Your Eye on the Ball on the international stage, so if you're lucky enough to be at Upton Park to see Beckham, Scholes, Kewell and co in action, make sure to don't miss the posters, flag cards and collections.

In addition, the FIFA Fair Play flagbearers will be representing the campaign and will be the first out of the tunnel.

For more information on the Keep Your Eye on the Ball campaign, testicular cancer and other related subjects, stay logged on to www.thefa.com, or check out www.icr.ac.uk/everyman, www.cancerresearchuk.org, www.givemefootball.com, www.talksport.co.uk