NO self-respecting footballer was seen without one during the 1970s. And now the moustache is making a comeback at the County Ground.

Players from Swindon Town are throwing away their razors from today to support the Everyman Male Cancer charity's campaign TacheBack.

It is a unique fundraising event that encourages men across the country to get sponsored to grow a moustache during September.

The idea for the players to take part was suggested by striker Lee Peacock.

"I saw it in the paper a few weeks ago and suggested it to a couple of the lads," he said.

"Everyone else then got hauled in to do it as well, but it is for a really good cause."

Lee and fellow instigator, midfielder Craig Easton, have already convinced nine of the team to grow out their stubble for a month.

And they are hoping a couple more will agree to give up the razors this morning.

"It will definitely give people a lot of 70s style photo opportunities," said Lee.

"But the whole thing is about raising awareness and the fact you can have a bit of fun along the way is even better.

"I am worried though - I'm 31 this year and I still can't grow a proper beard. I think I'm going to be dying it and sticking on fake hair to fill in the missing bits by the end of the month."

All of the players have ideas of the kind of moustaches they want to end up with.

And for Craig, who took part in a 5km run for the charity last year, there was only one choice for him.

"I think Magnum (the US TV detective played by Tom Selleck) is the sort of style I'll be looking at," he said.

"But we'll just have to see how it goes. Some of the boys have got a bigger head start than others.

"There were a lot of moustaches around in the game during the 1970s and 1980s, and hopefully this will help bring it back into modern football."

All of the money raised during the month will go to fund The Everyman Centre - Europe's first and only centre dedicated to male cancer research, and part of The Institute of Cancer Research.

Anyone who would like to take part in TacheBack can register by logging on to www.tacheback.com For those who just want to support the players, buckets will be passed around at home matches or you can find out more about sponsoring them by logging on to www.swindontownfc.co.uk.