Mansfield Town defender Martin Riley shows his support for Football Shirt Friday, in aid of The Bobby Moore Fund for Cancer Research UK.

Organisers of the fund are encouraging supporters across the country to wear their replica shirts on Friday, 11th April to help in the fight against bowel cancer, in memory of World Cup winning captain Bobby Moore.

Football Shirt Friday is taking place the day before what would have been Bobby’s birthday, to raise awareness and funds for bowel cancer, a disease that took his life more than 20 years ago.

The inspiration behind Football Shirt Friday comes from one of the most famous pictures of Bobby, when he swapped football shirts with Brazilian legend Pelé.

A close friend of Bobby’s, Brazilian legend Pelé said: “The picture of Bobby and I swapping shirts at the 1970 World Cup brings the memories flooding back. It remains iconic to this day and I think it’s a great inspiration for the Bobby Moore Fund’s Football Shirt Friday.

“Swap your favourite football shirts with your friends in April, and help Make Bobby Proud by supporting life-saving bowel cancer research.”

Stags defender Riley added: “I’m proud to be supporting Football Shirt Friday, in association with the Bobby Moore Fund, on behalf of the football club.

“I was shocked to learn that bowl cancer is the second most common cancer death in the UK and hope this scheme raises awareness both on a local and national level.”

Bobby’s wife, Stephanie Moore MBE, set up the fund in partnership with Cancer Research UK to raise money for research into the disease. To date, more than £20m has been raised to fund groundbreaking bowel cancer research.

To find out more visit www.footballshirtfriday.org

You can follow #FootballShirtFriday on the Bobby Moore Fund Facebook page, and Cancer Research UK’s Twitter and Instagram.