Charity Shield launches our Prostate Cancer UK charity partnership

The Pitching In Isthmian League has announced Prostate Cancer UK as its official charity partner for the 2025/26 season- and that partnership will be launched with a bang as our Champions, Horsham, host the side who they pipped to the post on the last day of the season (and our Velocity Cup Winners), Billericay Town, in our Charity Shield on August 2nd. All proceeds from that match will go to Prostate Cancer UK, and that will kick off a season packed with initiatives designed to benefit the charity, but just as importantly designed to raise awareness of a disease that affects one in eight men in the UK. 

The partnership comes as prostate cancer has become the most common cancer in England, with the number of diagnoses surpassing those of breast cancer for two years in a row. The League is particularly asking its clubs to share messages about the risk of prostate cancer with their fanbase, and to encourage supporters to represent their club as part of Prostate United in October.

Every October since 2018, Prostate United has invited football club staff and fans to run, walk or cycle every day during the month and has raised an incredible £1 million for Prostate Cancer UK. It’s been supported by clubs from the Premier League down to grassroots level, and returns for an eighth year this October.

Our Managers will be able to sport the charity’s ‘Man of Men’ pin badges on the sidelines with fans also able to check their risk of getting the disease via the charity’s 30-second online risk checker – prostatecanceruk.org/isthmian-risk. Prostate cancer often doesn’t cause symptoms in its earlier stages when it’s easier to treat, so knowing your risk could be life-saving.

Isthmian League Chairman Nick Robinson knows more than most about the impact of prostate cancer having himself been diagnosed with the disease. He explains:

“We are delighted once again to be supporting Prostate Cancer UK as our nominated charity for the new season.

We hope that by raising awareness as well as money we will contribute to saving lives. I suspect that there is not one club in the Isthmian League which doesn’t have someone who has been affected by this dreadful cancer. We know that if it is diagnosed early, it is treatable- so it’s not something to be ignored.

 We look forward to teaming up with Prostate Cancer UK to get some life-changing results.”

 One in eight men will get prostate cancer. The earlier it’s found, the easier it is to treat – but there’s currently no screening programme. Men are at higher risk if they are over 50, Black or have a father or brother who has had prostate cancer. Anyone with concerns should visit the charity’s online risk checker.  

Prostate Cancer UK Chief Executive Laura Kerby added: 

“We are delighted to team up with the Isthmian League, their clubs and supporters to help fund lifesaving research and raise vital awareness about prostate cancer, the most common cancer in men.“

Clubs and fans can get involved and find out more about Prostate United by emailing [email protected].

PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS FOR THE CHARITY SHIELD HERE. In advance they will cost eight pounds for an adult, four pounds for a student or a senior, and two pounds for Under 16's. Kick off is, of course, at 3PM.