WHEN Hull Ionians step out on to the field on Saturday, their opposing team are in for a shock.
Because most of the first team will look a little different, having shaved off their locks this week.
The band of baldy brothers chopped off their hair to raise money for The Lymphoma Association.
Team mate and friend Sam Forth, 25, is currently battling Hodgkin's lymphoma, having been diagnosed with the illness in July.
On Tuesday, the team invited three hairdressers to chop off their precious locks before their fixture against Leicester Lions this weekend.
Sam, of North Cave, said: "It will definitely be interesting on when they all run out on to the pitch.
"Most of the side will be completely bald – I don't know what the opposition will think.
"Unfortunately, I won't be able to get to the game, but I bet they'll get a reaction."
Sam, who works for Arco in Hull, is currently undergoing treatment for his condition and regularly uses the Teenage Cancer Trust unit at Castle Hill Hospital in Cottingham, which celebrated its first birthday this week.
He first came across The Lymphoma Association when using the internet to find out more about what his diagnosis meant.
Sam said: "I try to do my bit for charity anyway but when you get affected by something, you want to raise money for that cause.
"The Lymphoma Association website has really helped me and supported me through my treatment.
"They have people I can call with any questions and they have a lot of free information.
"The association helped me get my head around what was in store for me and was really informative."
Sam's younger brother Ally, was one of the players to have his head shaved: "I was a bit apprehensive before, but I psyched myself up for it.
"I'm quite pernickety about my hair and have it cut everyone two weeks, so I do miss it a bit."
Initially, the family had a fundraising target of £1,000, but that marker was soon left behind.
The figure is now closer to £4,000, with money still coming in.
In future, Sam and his supporters hope to hold an auction of some sport memorabilia to raise more money for the charity.
Sam's friend Ben Olsen has also vowed to do a 280mile swim, run and row next year – similar to a challenge comedian John Bishop did.
Through his treatment, Sam says content on the internet has helped him a lot.
One of the things he found most helpful were blogs written by other sufferers.
Sam has also launched his own blog to update his friends on his progress.
He said: "When you get diagnosed, you have a lot of questions.
"Some websites you don't read, because it isn't good for you.
"I started my blog after reading other peoples and it has had more than 3,000 hits.
"I first started doing it to have something to do in hospital and carried it on from there.
"I do find it quite therapeutic and get some really nice comments and emails."
Visit http://samforthblog.word press.com to read Sam's blog.
Visit www.justgiving.com/Sam-Forth and www.justgiv ing.com/AmandaBlackett to donate.
