PHILL AND HIS SAINTS PALS GET ON THEIR BIKE

AT THE end of the season, most people like to put their feet up and have a rest – Phill Coates and his pals at St Albans City do the opposite.

For while there may not be matches to attend, Coates and Co. step up their fundraising efforts on behalf of Prostate Cancer UK.

It’s a charity close to the 60-year-old’s heart. He was diagnosed with the disease – the most common cancer in men – in 2014 and the support of Prostate Cancer UK played a big part in helping him come to terms with it and deciding on what form of treatment he should go for.

In the event, he plumped for surgery and the removal of his prostate.

In the aftermath, the charity stayed in touch – and their fundraising London to Amsterdam bike ride was mentioned to him.

He’s since done it twice and encouraged others at St Albans – where he is community manager and plays the part of mascot Sammy the Saint – to join him.

He said: “In the first year there were four of us and last year there were three doing the ride.

“I wanted to go for it this year and thought we could maybe get up to ten riders. We’ve got 15 (including Saints coowner Lawrence Levy), which is incredible.

“There’s some representation from other Non-League clubs, but nothing to this extent – it’s just mushroomed.

“I’m really proud of how people have got behind it. We set up a WhatsApp group and there are lots of messages – the camaraderie is really good.”

The St Albans group have already raised more than £12,000 of their £15,000 target, with more money already pledged.

In total, 400 football fans, staff and legends of the game will be cycling the 145 miles from next Friday, June 9 to Sunday, June 11 to raise money to stop prostate cancer being a killer.

Among them are the likes of Les Ferdinand, Terry Butcher, Viv Anderson, Alan Smith, Sean Davis and Simon Grayson.

But Coates isn’t just taking on that challenge. He’s also bookending his bike ride by taking part in Jeff Stelling’s March for Men!

The television presenter set off from Exeter City’s St James Park on Friday and will walk 15 marathons in 15 days in aid of Prostate Cancer UK. He will walk 400 miles and visit more than 40 football clubs before finishing at Newcastle United’s St James’ Park on Friday, June 16.

Coates did four stages last year when Stelling walked from Hartlepool United to Wembley. This time, he’s doing the opening three legs of the walk, breaking off for the bike ride and then returning for the last three legs.

Coates said: “I’m not sure how my legs and feet will stand up to it!”

To back the St Albans team, go to: https://www. justgiving.com/fundraising/stalbanscityfc2017