Clubs showcase community spirit in EFL Week of Action
The impact of a football club on its local community does not end when the final whistle sounds on a Saturday afternoon and the fans head home.
Up, down and across the land the 72 English Football League clubs provide year-round support to projects on their doorstep aiming to help those in need and make a positive change in society.
With the majority of EFL teams without a fixture this week due to the international break, what better time to focus on some of the good work being done off the pitch?
Here’s a look at just some of the good causes being supported during the EFL’s Week of Action.
More than a million engaged with club projects
A report this week revealed that EFL clubs are being called on more than ever to provide support to individuals and community groups.
The ‘Measuring the Impact of EFL Clubs in the Community’ report, analysed data from 2022-23 and 2023-24 and was launched as part of the EFL Week of Action.
Figures show clubs and their charities delivered 54% more community activities and interventions during 2023-24 than they had in 2021-22 - a total of 890,878 hours.
There were a record number of participants - 1.1 million people - engaging with club community projects during the 2023-24 season, an increase of more than 30% on 2021-22.
The impact and value of community outreach across the EFL is significant.
Clubs and club charities have generated 10% more revenue for community investment since 2021-22 - a total of nearly £111m - while the social value of their activities is put at nearly £1.25bn - a rise of 43% on two years previously.
'Giving back is massive for us'
Bristol City might have been without a game during the international break, but that didn't stop boss Liam Manning from finding a sideline from which to shout instructions.
Manning watched first-team players Anis Mehmeti and Marcus McGuane getting stuck in during a Premier League Kicks session at St Paul’s Community Sports Academy as part of the EFL’s Week of Action.
"It’s great to get out into the community and integrate with fans and see some terrific work which is going on," Manning told BBC Radio Bristol.
"I think it’s massive, the position we are in, the responsibility it carries, to give back, to integrate and show how important the game is. Who knows where the next Anis Mehmeti will be found?
"When you look at what the game does from a health and social perspective, it gives so much, I love coming out – it’s such a special thing that can give so much."
Mehmeti said he grew up playing in cages like the ones in St Paul's after school and added: "It’s always good to come to these places. It’s a humbling experience. I was once one of these boys. It made me the player I am today.
"I really like these type of experiences. It shows what a great club we are and what a great city it is. It’s something I cherish."
Bristol City players Scott Twine and Luke McNally met the Robins Foundation’s Youth Council, made up of youngsters who have taken part in foundation projects with the aim of improving the lives of local people.
Ashton Gate also played host to participants on the Foundation’s free Fit Robins lifestyle programme with Haydon Roberts and Lewis Thomas on hand to learn more and meet fans.
Hull City 'Using the power of the badge'
It's not just big football fans who benefit from the activities put on by clubs' community trusts.
Something as simple as an advert in an old football programme might spark a memory in a resident of a care home, get isolated people taking over a common bond or perhaps even pierce through the fog of dementia.
Hull City's Tigers Trust have found their Forever Tigers events, focused on club memorabilia and heritage, does just that.
Catherine Bishop, CEO of the Tigers Trust told BBC Radio Humberside: “The EFL Week of Action is the opportunity for the Tigers Trust and all the other club community organisations across the country to showcase and shine a light on the work we actually do.
"We work with over 35,000 people each year in Hull and East Yorkshire.
“The football club sits firmly in our community, whether people are big City fans or not – it touches lives, it’s powerful. We are using the power of the badge beyond the 90 minutes on the pitch. The EFL champion this every year and highlight the importance and impact we have.
“There are so many things we do beyond the pitch. This is the opportunity to shine a light on that good. We wear the badge with pride beyond the 90 minutes.”
Elsewhere...
Middlesbrough boss Michael Carrick made a surprise visit to meet school children participating on EFL in the Community’s Joy of Moving programme delivered in partnership with Ferrero.
Burnley manager Scott Parker, visited a local school to meet with children supported by the club on its Limitless Clarets scheme – a disability sports project for primary school children with special educational needs.
Leeds United captain, Ethan Ampadu made a surprise visit to the Thorp Arch training ground where Chapletown Juniors girls under-9s were participating in a training session as part of the club’s Female Pathway programme.
Bobby Thomas and Brad Collins of Coventry City signed autographs, posed for photos and spoke with members of the group during the MENtalk mental health session at Coventry Building Society.
Plymouth Argyle’s Bali Mumba and Matthew Sorinola got stuck in to a team building exercise with students from the club’s PL Inspires programme.
Morgan Whittaker and Adam Randell also joined the club’s Post 16 football and education programme to give a pre-match speech before watching the youngsters take on Reading.
Grimsby Town manager David Artell attended a local children’s training session as part of the Week of Action at Cambridge Park Academy.
Lewis Billington of Crewe Alexandra took part in a Homeless Football Session hosted by Crewe Alexandra in the Community.
Barnsley hosted a Coffee & Cake Afternoon session at Oakwell with former Barnsley player Barry Murphy and current player Barry Cotter in attendance.
A Blackburn Rovers team featuring refugees, asylum seekers and the homeless took on a side from Crewe.
Rovers run inclusive sessions in conjunction with the Salvation Army on Friday nights.
Reading’s Joel Pereira visited Alden Grove Primary School and said: "It’s always nice to see the kids, it’s a special moment for them and always nice to contribute to the project.
“It’s very important – it doesn’t cost us much. As a club it’s very important to contribute as much as possible and Reading have been top drawer with that.”
Cambridge United midfielders Paul Digby and Jordan Cousins joined participants at the Premier League Kicks session run by the Cambridge United Foundation.
Six members of Cardiff City’s Academy visited St John Primary School to join a Joy of Moving session and help youngsters create healthy pre-match meals.
