Nobby Stiles' son, John discusses the importance of highlighting the issue of Prostate Cancer, on the week that marked the 48th anniversary of England's World Cup win.
Last year it was announced that former Manchester United and Preston North End midfielder Nobby Stiles had been diagnosed with prostate cancer.
It is the most common form of the disease found in men in the United Kingdom.
The English Football Hall of Fame inductee, who spent over a decade with the Red Devils and finished his career at Deepdale in the 1970s, is just one of three players from the UK to have won the European Cup and World Cup.
Now aged 72, Stiles still resides in Manchester, a short distance from Old Trafford, and his son, John, recently spoke to Prostate Cancer UK of how important it is for men to get checked for the disease as early as possible.
He said: “I’ve been and got tested for everything. Everything’s fine. It’s in the genes with me. My granddad had it as well.
“The great work that you are doing, making people aware. I’ve been tested, my brother's been tested and a lot of friends due to me bringing it up with them I’ve encouraged them all to go and get tested.
“Even in this small niche around my father - a lot of people – hopefully with them being tested. You don’t know what’s happened. It may have saved someone already.”
This week marked the 48th anniversary of England’s historic 1966 World Cup triumph over West Germany at Wembley.
Stiles featured in each of the Three Lions’ six matches at the tournament, including the final under the Twin Towers in London.
“I was two. I was with my mother’s family in Dublin when Geoff Hurst scored the last goal,” John recollected.
“Apparently when he scored the last goal, they threw me in the air and forgot to catch me. That’s a true story!
“Every time the World Cup comes around, everyone associates that iconic image, of him dancing around without your teeth in.
“I’m not trying to tie in prostate cancer with the World Cup, but I think everyone associates it with my dad.
“He wasn’t a big 6ft 2, blonde strapping guy with big thighs, he was 5ft 5, had no teeth, couldn’t see properly and had bad knees, but somebody who had the will to win and succeed.”
Nobby is one of the 40,000 men in the UK that will be diagnosed with prostate cancer every year. Both him and son John are ambassadors for Prostate Cancer UK.
John said: “The first time I really heard about prostate cancer was when Bob Monkhouse had it, and that was a big thing.
“Then, when my dad got it, it just hammered home how close it was. Cancer doesn’t distinguish between sport and famous people does it? It can affect anybody.”
Men are being asked to sign for Men United by visiting www.prostatecanceruk.org/menunited.
It is the most common form of the disease found in men in the United Kingdom.
The English Football Hall of Fame inductee, who spent over a decade with the Red Devils and finished his career at Deepdale in the 1970s, is just one of three players from the UK to have won the European Cup and World Cup.
Now aged 72, Stiles still resides in Manchester, a short distance from Old Trafford, and his son, John, recently spoke to Prostate Cancer UK of how important it is for men to get checked for the disease as early as possible.
He said: “I’ve been and got tested for everything. Everything’s fine. It’s in the genes with me. My granddad had it as well.
“The great work that you are doing, making people aware. I’ve been tested, my brother's been tested and a lot of friends due to me bringing it up with them I’ve encouraged them all to go and get tested.
“Even in this small niche around my father - a lot of people – hopefully with them being tested. You don’t know what’s happened. It may have saved someone already.”
This week marked the 48th anniversary of England’s historic 1966 World Cup triumph over West Germany at Wembley.
Stiles featured in each of the Three Lions’ six matches at the tournament, including the final under the Twin Towers in London.
“I was two. I was with my mother’s family in Dublin when Geoff Hurst scored the last goal,” John recollected.
“Apparently when he scored the last goal, they threw me in the air and forgot to catch me. That’s a true story!
“Every time the World Cup comes around, everyone associates that iconic image, of him dancing around without your teeth in.
“I’m not trying to tie in prostate cancer with the World Cup, but I think everyone associates it with my dad.
“He wasn’t a big 6ft 2, blonde strapping guy with big thighs, he was 5ft 5, had no teeth, couldn’t see properly and had bad knees, but somebody who had the will to win and succeed.”
Nobby is one of the 40,000 men in the UK that will be diagnosed with prostate cancer every year. Both him and son John are ambassadors for Prostate Cancer UK.
John said: “The first time I really heard about prostate cancer was when Bob Monkhouse had it, and that was a big thing.
“Then, when my dad got it, it just hammered home how close it was. Cancer doesn’t distinguish between sport and famous people does it? It can affect anybody.”
Men are being asked to sign for Men United by visiting www.prostatecanceruk.org/menunited.