A Leeds United fanzine has passed the £30,000 mark with their charity fundraising efforts from selling calendars.
The Square Ball's charity calendars have flown off the shelves again this year, with £7,000 generated in sales that will all go to benefit local causes. That takes the total in recent years to more than £30,000 raised for the Leeds Cancer Centre and the Leeds Breast Cancer Awareness Action Group, through the Leeds Hospitals Charity - the charitable fund at Leeds Teaching Hospitals. The money raised directly helps people across Yorkshire, supporting cancer treatment and research delivered through Leeds Hospitals Charity.
The Square Ball began supporting the charity with a series of fundraising activities in 2013. Raffles, merchandise and sponsored walks have generated more than £80,000 in donations.
The Square Ball have supported Leeds Hospitals Charity with a series of fundraising activities since 2013. This includes raffles, merchandise sales and sponsored walks, special commemorative and limited-run releases - with a fundraising total of over £80,000.
Commercial director Paul O'Dowd said: "Cancer has affected the families of the TSB team plus some very close friends, so we are always very proud to donate funds to the wonderful team at Leeds Hospitals Charity. Once again, we thank the amazing illustrators who have donated their time and work, and everyone who bought or gifted a calendar, that has helped raise an amazing amount of money for a great cause."
Lee Shackleton is TSB's video editor and designer. He said: "It's always tricky putting the calendars together, as we work on them months in advance. The worry is that some of the players featured won't actually be playing for Leeds by the end of the following year - or sooner in some cases. With this in mind, we always adopt a unique angle to the design brief, and the 2026 Calendar features illustrations of players from the current squad, but in retro kits!"
The fanzine was established in 1989 but now produces print, video, merchandise and podcasts. This weekend the team are in Ireland for a series of live shows. On Friday they will welcome Ross McCormack to the stage in Dublin and on Sunday night John McClelland joins them for a show in Belfast, alongside Yorkshire Evening Post chief football writer Graham Smyth.
The Square Ball say they remain committed to raising funds for worthy causes in and around the city. A statement said: "Now in its third decade, The Square Ball continues to demonstrate how fan-led media can deliver meaningful social impact alongside independent journalism and podcasting. The charity calendars remain a cornerstone of that mission, helping to raise awareness and vital funds for life-saving work in Leeds. TSB will continue to support local causes and communities through calendars and other projects and wish to continue this work alongside the kindness and generosity of those who donate."
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