EFL players and club staff hailed as heroes for looking after fans during the coronavirus pandemic

EFL players and club staff have been hailed as heroes after they delivered 1.4 million food parcels and collected 22,000 prescriptions for vulnerable people during the last year.

Lincoln City’s Anthony Scully helped clear a garden area for local people to use

The 72 football league clubs have come to the rescue of fans and communities stricken by the coronavirus pandemic.

Clubs and club community organisations have kept in touch with supporters who have struggled during the relentless lockdowns resulting from the spread of Covid, making and receiving more than half a million phone calls and handing out 179,000 items of PPE.

Chairman of the EFL Rick Parry described the efforts of staff and players as ‘remarkable’ in a year when they have experienced their own challenges and clubs have struggled financially because almost no fans have been able to attend games for more than 12 months.

Championship side Stoke City support walking football among older people in the Potteries

‘[They’ve responded] to the growing needs of their communities affected by the pandemic while also continuing to deliver critical life-changing programmes in towns and cities across England and Wales to people who need it most.

‘Community work delivered by football Clubs is without a doubt one of the key mechanisms in helping to address important societal issues with the aim of building stronger, healthier, active, more cohesive communities.

To celebrate their achievements during the past year, clubs were out in force again this week during an EFL day of action.

EFL chairman Rick Parry (left) hailed clubs ‘remarkable’ support of their communities and Nottingham Forest’s Ryan Yates has been busy delivering food parcels

Among them were Lincoln City’s keeper Alex Palmer, 24, who has played for the Imps 48 times this season, and winger Anthony Scully, who has scored 13 times in 43 appearances. 

The pair joined teammates at a local garden, which they are tidying up for the community to use.

Norwich City’s keeper Tim Krul, 33, has been busy between the sticks for the high-flying Canaries this term, making 31 appearances in the Championship.

But he still made a surprise appearance at the club’s NHS Superhero Soccer Schools, which have been set up for children of NHS workers at three local hospitals. 

Swindon Town have put on a soccer school for refugee and asylum seeker players

The project has been funded through £200,000 raised by players and coaching staff to help with the Covid-19 support effort. Over 300 children benefit from the activity.

Millwall’s LGBT team took part in a special coaching session hosted by club legend, Paul Robinson, at The Den, while staff from Preston North End were at a community centre educating people about the festival of Ramadan and supporting those fasting with dates, fresh fruit and water.

‘It’s great to see all 72 EFL Clubs, players, managers, staff and participants come together to highlight the power of football in uniting people and working for the greater good,’ added Parry.

Bradford City set up a holiday football camp at Crawshaw School Academy, Pudsey , Leeds

Alex Palmer (left) and Anthony Scully of Lincoln City got their hands dirty in the garden

‘I congratulate each and every one of them for the resilience and determination they have demonstrated by continuing to deliver vital community work – this has provided a lifeline for so many during the challenges of the last 12 months.’

Tranmere Rovers first team squad was paying ‘garden gate’ visits this week to isolated members of their community and Portsmouth were educating youngsters about healthy eating in the Blues’ kitchen

And Nottingham Forest have been busy dishing out food parcels with the help of midfielder Ryan Yates, who has made 26 starts for the Reds in the Championship this season, scoring twice.

AFC Wimbledon manager, Mark ‘Robbo’ Robinson attended a community activity

‘It’s been a tough year for all of us, especially being separated from loved ones, but made harder for people struggling to put food on their table,’ said Yates, 23.

‘At Forest, we’ve been doing so much to help those in need – players and staff have been rolling up their sleeves and doing their bit in any way they can.

‘It’s an inspiration to meet everyone today and deliver the one millionth food parcel on behalf of all of the Clubs in the EFL.’

The EFL estimates over 36.6million people live within a 10-mile radius of one its clubs.

Karen Hills manager of Charlton Athletic Women (left) and Ronnie Schwartz of Charlton Athletic (right) took part in a community trust event at a holiday soccer club

Community staff from Preston North End supported their community during the month of Ramadan with food and fruit as part of the EFL day of action