Accrington Stanley Women have launched a special limited edition pink shirt for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, with the campaign carrying an especially personal meaning for one of the club’s newest signings.
The eye-catching pink shirt, now featuring front-of-shirt sponsor Wham, will be worn by Stanley Women’s first team when they take on Blackpool Ladies this Sunday at Accrington & Rossendale College.
For the first time, supporters will also have the opportunity to buy the official shirt worn by the players, rather than just a replica version.
The shirts will go on general sale on Thursday 26th November at the #AmazingAccrington Christmas Light Switch On, where they will be available from the OASST shop in Accrington Arndale.
Priced at £35 for sizes XS and below and £40 for small and above, the limited-edition shirt also features sleeve sponsor Hyndburn Borough Council and back-of-shirt sponsor SORM Studios – School of Rock and Media Ltd.
Only limited sizes will be available, with supporters interested in purchasing a shirt before they go on general sale invited to contact enquiries@aswomen.org to secure a limited-edition shirt.
Following the launch of Accrington Stanley’s new third kit in Coley’s, Stanley Women followed with their own launch at the Wham Stadium alongside first-team players Lily Edmondson, Ava Schofield, Summer West, Megan Oliver, Izzy Tennant, Amy Hood and Mich Ryan.
The shirt has also taken on an even deeper significance for the club following Ryan’s arrival at Stanley Women.
Known as Mich to her teammates, friends and family, the experienced forward has her own personal experience of breast cancer and is now two years on from her last treatment.
Football remained a huge part of her life throughout her treatment. Even during chemotherapy, Mich stayed involved from the sidelines through coaching before making her return to playing around a year later.
Now stronger and fitter than ever, having made changes to her diet and lifestyle, she hopes her story and Stanley Women’s pink shirt can encourage other women to check themselves and seek medical advice if they notice anything unusual.
Mich said: “It means the world to me. It was so much to go through at a young age, but the biggest thing I would say to anyone going through something like this is to stay positive and never give up.
“If you find absolutely anything that doesn’t feel right, go to the doctor and get it checked. You’re not wasting anyone’s time. If I hadn’t gone and had mine checked, I might not be here today.”
Mich has already made a big impression on the pitch since joining Stanley Women from Wythenshawe Town Women, scoring five goals in her opening two games, including four on her debut.
She brings considerable experience to the squad, having previously spent six years playing for Bolton Wanderers at semi-professional level. Earlier in her career, she also enjoyed a remarkable season with Boothstown Ladies in the Manchester leagues, scoring 98 goals in a single year, gaining the nickname ‘Hot Shot Ryan’.
After rediscovering her enjoyment of the game at Stanley Women, Mich has set her sights on helping the team challenge for promotion.
She added: “I am so, so happy here and I’m really enjoying my football again. I went through a period where I stopped enjoying it as much, but now I’ve come back to loving every minute of it.
“I can’t wait to get on that pitch every week. Coming here is the best thing I ever did. I’ve been really impressed by the team and the quality of the players, and hopefully we can have a really successful season together.”
Stanley Women Chair Sami Smithson said the club was incredibly proud to see the pink shirt return and of the message behind it.
Sami said: “We’re so proud of this shirt because it means so much for so many different reasons. It’s a shirt our players are proud to wear, and our supporters can now wear too, but most importantly it gives us another opportunity to raise awareness, start conversations and show our support for everyone whose life has been affected by breast cancer. Mich’s story makes that message even more powerful and we’re incredibly proud to have her as part of Stanley Women.”
Peter Leatham, Chair of the Official Accrington Stanley Supporters Trust (OASST), said: “We are happy to support the women’s team by having 100 of the special edition shirts available. These will be on sale in our new store in the Arndale which is next door to the current unit.”
Warren Eastham, CEO of Accrington Stanley, said: “It is great to see the Wham branding on the Stanley Women shirts. It is a really important year for the women’s team as they challenge to win promotion.”
Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a global campaign held every October to increase awareness of breast cancer, encourage earlier diagnosis and support people affected by the disease.
‘Wear it Pink’ day takes place on Friday 23rd October, with people across the country encouraged to wear pink and raise money and awareness for breast cancer research and support.
To find out more about Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the work of Breast Cancer Now, visit https://breastcancernow.org/
To keep up to date with Accrington Stanley Women, visit: www.facebook.com/AccringtonStanleyWomen, x.com/ASWFCofficial and www.instagram.com/accrington_stanley_womenfc
