TO MILLIONS of soccer fans he was one of greatest English footballers that ever lived.

But to Jimmy Ball and Mandy Byrne, England captain Bobby Moore was also like an uncle.

Their father Alan Ball was with Bobby in the England team who became the nation's heroes after clinching that famous 1966 World Cup victory.

They shared a room when they were on tour and off the field they were big buddies.

When the former West Ham star died of bowel cancer at the age of just 51 it was particularly heartbreaking for the Ball family.

Two years ago their lives were dramatically turned upside down when 35- year-old Mandy and her mum Lesley discovered they both had cancer.

But, by undergoing early treatment, they were able to survive the ordeal.

Millions of TV viewers will watch on Sunday as brave Mandy, who still has regular check-ups, steps out for her London Marathon debut

She will joined by her brother Jimmy for a sponsored run in aid of the Bobby Moore Fund for Cancer Research UK.

It will be an emotional race for they will also be celebrating the fact that both Mandy and her mum have survived cancer.

In the build-up for the big race Mandy, who lives in Chandler's Ford, has been running 30 miles a week.

Jimmy, who lives at Hedge End and is a football/sport agent, has been preparing for his first Flora London Marathon by running about three times week.

Mandy said: "We are both quite fit and we have been training for a while.

"We are determined to cross the line together. We are not bothered about our time as long as we run the entire course and do not walk any of it."

Surviving members of England's 1966 World Cup team are also backing their efforts.

Mandy's cancer ordeal began when she discovered a lump in her breast which turned out to be malignant.

She underwent a lumpectomy followed by courses of chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Her harrowing experience prompted her mum to go for a check up which revealed she had ovarian cancer. She too underwent chemotherapy.

Mandy said: "What has happened to me made me even more determined to do the marathon and support Bobby's fund."

Jimmy added: "It has been a trying time for all of us but it has brought us closer than ever as a family."

The pair will be wearing specially adapted versions of Bobby's famous number six red shirt as they tackle the gruelling 26.2 mile course through the capital.

Jimmy also spoke of his father's special bond with the great Bobby Moore.

He said: "They were fantastic friends. Bobby was just like an uncle to us. He was a kind and generous man."

Proud parents Alan and Lesley Ball will be looking after the grandchildren and watching the marathon on the television from the comfort of their armchairs.

The former Saints star said: "I am immensely proud of my family, especially since we have been through so much together in recent times.

"It will be a fantastic triumph for Mandy to complete a marathon after beating breast cancer and I am thrilled that Jimmy will be there for her along the way."