England goalie's grandson runs for prostate charity

Jack Clemence is hoping to cover 26.2 miles throughout January to raise money and awareness for Prostate Cancer UK

The grandson of an England and Liverpool goalkeeper is hoping to raise awareness of prostate cancer by running the equivalent of a marathon over the course of the month.

Jack Clemence is hoping to honour his grandfather Ray Clemence by taking part in the Run the Month challenge throughout January.

Ray Clemence, who also played for Spurs and Scunthorpe, died in 2020, aged 72, after living with prostate cancer for 15 years.

His grandson said: "Hopefully, he's looking down on me [feeling] proud."

Ray Clemence leading out England against Brazil in a friendly at Wembley in 1981

The 18-year-old from Hertfordshire, who is undertaking a degree apprenticeship with Amazon, will run at least 26.2 miles (42.2km) in total, aiming to compete two 5km runs each week with his first run on New Year's Day.

He said: "It was the day before my grandad's three-year anniversary of his passing, I came across the [challenge],

"It was almost a sign, if anything. It was, like, now I've got to do this," he said.

Mr Clemence's last fundraising event was in 2021 at the Football March walk, which was supported by former Sky Sports presenter, Jeff Stelling.

A younger Jack Clemence with his goalkeeper grandad, Ray Clemence

During his career, Skegness-born Clemence, who started out at Scunthorpe United, won five league titles and three European Cups with Liverpool between 1967 and 1981.

He moved on to Spurs and helped them retain the FA Cup in 1982.

After making his England debut in 1972, he won 61 caps and spent the majority of his 11-year international career as a rival to Peter Shilton for the number one shirt.

Jack Clemence hopes the challenge will raise awareness, with the money being donated to Prostate Cancer UK.

He said: "It's not even about getting the marathon done across the month - it's about raising the money, raising the awareness. The money is going to a great cause.

"If we can get as many people to get checked out as soon as possible, spot the symptoms as soon as possible, we can save plenty of lives," he said.

Ray Clemence made 470 appearances for Liverpool, and then turned out 330 times for Spurs