BILLY NAMED THE GREATEST EVER

BILLY NAMED THE GREATEST EVER

Billy Bremner awarded Men United armband and enters Prostate Cancer UK’s hall of fame...

Leeds United and Scotland legend, Billy Bremner, has topped a nationwide search for the all-time greatest captain in the history of The Football League. The fans favourite will now be immortalised into Prostate Cancer UK’s Men United Hall of Fame and honoured with the figurehead role as captain of ‘Men United’ in the fight against prostate cancer.

The newly extended three-year charity partnership between Prostate Cancer UK and The Football League aims to reach over 16 million fans across the terraces, raising awareness of the disease which affects 1 in 8 men sometime in their life and kills over 10,000 men a year.

Bremner (played for Leeds United 1958-76) fought off stiff competition from all 72 Football League nominated skippers in the first round of votes last month to enter the top five final fan vote, alongside legendary skippers– Mick Mills of Ipswich Town, Paul Robinson of Millwall, Archie Gibson of Scunthorpe United and Nat Lofthouse of Bolton Wanderers, to be crowned the greatest captain in the history of The Football League.

The late captain helped put Leeds United firmly on the map by leading the Whites during their most successful era, collecting an impressive haul of silverwarer in doing so. The Scottish footballer’s legendary status has been celebrated over the years in song, film and statue. His legacy will now live on to help inspire a winning team to fight a disease which kills one man every hour. This season fans across England and Wales are being urged to put aside their rivalries on the pitch and join ‘Men United’.

Leeds United and Scotland International team-mate and friend, Peter Lorimer, who played alongside Bremner, between 1963 and late 70s, said: “I’m delighted to see my old team-mate awarded the title of the greatest all-time captain in the history of The Football League by Leeds United fans – a title which is very much deserved.

“Billy Bremner was a great captain, friend and an inspirational person. He was the type of player and leader to roll up his sleeves to get the job done. He inspired everyone he played with and led from example. His enthusiasm for the game literally rubbed off on everyone he came into contact with both on and off the park. Despite his size, he was never afraid of a tackle, no matter the opponent – he was like a little lion, and took everything in this stride.”

Prostate Cancer UK’s Mark Bishop, said: “As the Football League celebrates its 125th anniversary year, it’s an exciting time to be its official Charity Partner, pooling our strengthto help more men survive prostate cancer and enjoy a better quality of life.

“The fans have spoken and we’re delighted to crown Leeds United legend, Billy Bremner, as the all-time greatest captain in the history of The Football League. Sadly Bremner is no longer with us, but his football legacy as one of the all-time great postwar football heroes has given the skipper the edge by securing almost 50% of the vote overall. Bremner deservedly enters our Men United Hall of Fame and is awarded the title of our inspirational figurehead for ‘Men United’. I’m confident that the legend’s footballing legacy will live on to inspire football fans to wake up to prostate cancer.  Congratulations to all four runnersup including Mick Mills of Ipswich Town for coming in second place.

“As well as celebrating the League’s greatest sporting heroes, our aim is to fire up men to take urgent action to tackle this killer disease head on and join the team to  fight it. Prostate cancer affects 1 in 8 men at some time during their lifetime  and with the disease increasing at an alarming rate across our stadiums, this is one challengewe can’t afford to lose.”

This season fans are being urged put aside their rivalries on the pitch and join ‘Men United’ in the fight against prostate cancer. Prostate Cancer UK is encouraging mates, brothers, dads and granddads to sign up for the most important game of their lives, wise up to the disease and step up to fight prostate cancer.

To sign for Men United and register for the Official Charity Partner e-newsletter packed with exclusive football stories and opportunities for fans to enter the Men United Hall of Fame visit prostatecanceruk.org/football.

If you have concerns or questions about prostate cancer call Prostate Cancer UK's confidential Helpline on 0800 074 8383 or visit www.prostatecanceruk.org. The helpline is free to landlines, staffed by specialist nurses, and open from 9am to 5pm on Monday to Friday with extra late opening from 7 - 9pm on Wednesdays.

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