City fans will be part of something special at Bootham Crescent next Tuesday (11 August 2015) when they cheer on Phil Parkinson's men from the newly named ‘Prostate Cancer UK Stand’.
The Minstermen have decided to launch a new incentive in tandem with the Official Charity Partner of The Football League, Prostate Cancer UK, and adopt a new stand name for their away end for the entire 2015/16 season.
The 'Prostate Cancer UK Stand' away end will officially be used for the first time when the Bantams arrive at Bootham Crescent for their Capital One Cup Round 1 tie with York.
York's decision to change the name of their away stand comes after fellow Sky Bet League 2 side Luton Town renamed their ground the Prostate Cancer UK Stadium for last season.
The innovative idea came from York season-ticket holder and Men United member Daniel Pentland, 28, who will be working with the forward-thinking charity across the campaign, drawing attention to a disease that affects over 40,000 men in the UK every year.
York’s General Manager John McGhee said: “The partnership we have agreed fits nicely with the Football League Official Charity Partner arrangement and we hope that by naming the away stand it helps to draw attention to this really important issue that affects so many men each year.
“We always attract a great away support with people wanting to visit the city of York and because we have a reputation for welcoming visiting supporters this is a fantastic way to get the message out there to a very wide audience.
“We’ll be working with the charity through the year and really hope it makes a difference.”
Pentland (pictured) added: “As a long-standing York City fan that regularly travels up and down the country supporting my club I’ve watched the highs and lows from many vantage points.
“There is always a special bond between fans in the away end, so I’ve been working with Prostate Cancer UK on a unique opportunity for visiting fans who visit Bootham Crescent this season.
“Hopefully, together with the traditional warm welcome afforded here at our famous ground, by offering travelling fans a totally new backdrop we will help raise awareness of this awful disease and stand together as Men United.”
As the Official Charity Partner of The Football League, Prostate Cancer UK aims to reach millions of football fans through activities across football grounds to raise awareness of a disease that kills one man every hour in the UK.
Mark Bishop, Director of Fundraising at Prostate Cancer UK, said: “Men United is about men joining together to fight a common opponent – prostate cancer. By teaming up with our friends from York City for the upcoming season, we have a fantastic opportunity to reach men and their friends and family.
“By adopting our name for the away end at Bootham Crescent, York City have provided us with an exciting and innovative opportunity to continue our ground-breaking work within the beautiful game, standing side by side with a traditional club who are known for their friendly and welcoming supporters.
“We would like to thank the club’s players, staff and supporters on behalf of the 300,000 men living with prostate cancer in the UK. And of course, another special thank you to all the passionate away fans who are set to travel far and wide to support their club from our new vantage point.”
Prostate Cancer UK is asking fans across The Football League to make their season count with Men United, and do something great with their mates via prostatecanceruk.org/menunited.