New Balls, Please! Some Serious Colour Is Coming On Saturday

Saturday’s big live BT Sport National League game between Chesterfield and Notts County will now have even more significance.

The bright blue and orange Vanarama X Prostate Cancer UK match ball is coming out and it’s a little bit of history - the first time ever a one-off ball has been used in a Non-League fixture.

Of course it is all to do with the MANarama campaign, the National League sponsor’s big push to raise much-needed cash to fight the killer disease.

After, four balls created by manufacturer JAKO to be auctioned off post-match in aid of the charity.

Some 25 replica balls are then to be given away through www.Manarama.co.uk.

Andy Alderson, CEO and founder of Vanarama, said: “We sponsor the National League because we are well aware of the power that football has to bring people together to prompt discussion.

“Creating this special, one off ball, was a way to highlight the special role that football can play in prompting fans to talk about Prostate Cancer, raise awareness of the disease and offer support to those suffering from it. We’re hoping that the auction for the balls raises plenty of money for a deserving cause.”

National League Chief Executive, Michael Tattersall, added: “The MANarama campaign always captures the imagination of football fans and this one-off ball is a great way of starting conversation.

“It perfectly encapsulates how football can help those who are battling the disease. Whether it be pre-match, during half-time or after the final whistle, men should be talking about prostate cancer.”

Prostate Cancer UK Chief Executive Angela Culhane, adds: “We pride ourselves on being on the ball in the fight against prostate cancer, a disease that kills one man every 45 minutes.

“This is a purpose worth uniting for, and from changing the name of the league and now introducing a bespoke ball, it’s been wonderful to play a part in the ground-breaking campaign.”

Kevin Webber, who often puts his trainers on for the cause, said: “I want to show that a grim diagnosis doesn’t mean you have to mope around being miserable.

“Football has inspired me to have my own ‘promotion season’ feeling every day, despite having
terminal prostate cancer.”