Cancer survivors go head to head in FA Cup

By Gregg Davies
published

Millwall's Neil Harris and Hull City's Matt Duke are united in their fight against testicular cancer, but this weekend loyalties will be divided as they face each other in the FA Cup Fourth Round. Striker, Harris is looking to further extend his status as Millwall's all time leading scorer by netting past keeper Matt Duke and sending Premier League side Hull City crashing out of the competition. Duke and Harris are good friends off the pitch and work together raising awareness of, and funds for testicular cancer research at the Everyman Male Cancer Campaign, after both surviving the disease.

However, such allegiances will be swiftly forgotten on Saturday when the League 1 Lions take on the top-flight Tigers.

"Matt and I have fought on the same side against testicular cancer and been through so much, but this weekend we'll definitely be lining up as opponents," said Harris.

"It'll be great to pit our wits against each other and hopefully I'll be the one celebrating when the final whistle blows."

Duke was diagnosed with testicular cancer 12 months ago but has since made a successful comeback for Hull and played a starring role in the last round by keeping a clean sheet against Newcastle United.

"Neil's a great lad but friendship won't be a factor that will come into play on Saturday," said Duke. "Both Millwall and Hull are having great seasons but I'm confident we can go one better by knocking Millwall out this weekend."

No matter which team you will be supporting this weekend get behind Everyman and visit www.everymancancer.org and make a donation for Harris or Duke.

Everyman is also pleased to announce that it will continue to be working alongside The FA as one of their charity partners during 2009.

Everyman's Keep Your Eye on the Ball campaign was established in 2000 and will continue to raise awareness of male cancers within the football community with this year's focus fortnight in April.

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Gregg Davies
Gregg Davies

Gregg Davies is the Chief Sub Editor of FourFourTwo magazine, joining the team in January 2008 and spending seven years working on the website. He supports non-league behemoths Hereford and commentates on Bulls matches for Radio Hereford FC. His passions include chocolate hobnobs and attempting to shoehorn Ronnie Radford into any office conversation.