SOUTHEND United’s kits will be showing support for Prostate Cancer UK during the forthcoming League One season.

Shrimpers boss Chris Powell has been a longstanding ambassador for the charity.

And Powell, who ran the London Marathon for Prostate Cancer back in April, is thrilled to have their logo on the new Blues shirts.

“I’m delighted that Prostate Cancer UK are going to be on the front of the shirts this year,” said Powell.”

“It’s a charity I know well being an ambassador over the last six years and running the London Marathon for them in April.

“It’s a brilliant move by us to raise awareness about a disease that affects many.

“Hopefully we will be the ambassadors of Essex because it’s important that men of a certain age, but all men, know about prostate cancer and be aware of it.”

And Prostate Cancer UK’s chief executive Angela Culhane is also pleased the Shrimpers have shown their support for the charity.

“Southend have long supported the work of Prostate Cancer UK during our EFL partnership, hosting matchday collections and encouraging riders to join the Football to Amsterdam bike ride,” said Culhane.

“Their manager Chris Powell has been a great supporter of ours for quite some time and this year raised more than £14,000 and a tremendous amount of awareness by running the London Marathon.

“It was a pleasure to walk with Chris during one of Jeff Stelling’s Marches and I know how passionate he is about our work.

“This partnership extends our footprint in football and proves again the power the beautiful game can have in shaping real change.

“It will help us make sure the messages about prostate cancer continue to ring loud for the football community, with all at Southend United playing their part in making prostate cancer a disease the next generation of men need not fear.”

To find out more information about Prostate Cancer UK’s work in football go to: www.prostatecanceruk.org/football

Blues will wear their new kit for the first time against Leeds United this Sunday.