Sheffield’s two football clubs, Sheffield Wednesday and Sheffield United are putting football rivalry to one side and supporting the Sheffield NHS Stop Smoking Service, urging fans to think about their health and red-card the habit.

Around 40,000 Sheffield people who have been in the crowds at Hillsborough and Bramall Lane this season may have noticed bright magenta boards on the pitch perimeters, asking fans to call 0800 068 4490 for free support in giving up smoking.

Phil Jagielka from Sheffield United and Adam Proudlock and Mark Robins from Sheffield Wednesday are telling fans that if they want to be as fit and healthy as the teams they should call the free service and give up smoking for good.

Malcolm Simpson of the Sheffield NHS Stop Smoking Service said: “Sporting figures, like the Sheffield Wednesday and Sheffield United footballers are icons to their fans and we are grateful to have their full support. They are people who take their health seriously and it is great that they are supporting our service and urging fans to do the same.

“We are hoping that the support of the city’s footballing clubs will encourage more men to contact the service. In Sheffield, and indeed nationally there are more male smokers than female smokers, however the service is open to men as well as women and we are running courses to suit.”

He added: “There are around 13 million smokers in the UK and nearly 70% want to stop. The NHS service in Sheffield offers comprehensive, free support and we are placing a number of adverts around the city to ensure everybody who would like to stop smoking knows where to find the freephone number and how to easily get our help.”

To find your nearest NHS Stop Smoking Service quit group please call 0800 068 4490.