John Hudson, PFA Director of Corporate Social Responsibility, looks back on 30 years of football supporting local communities.
What began as a pilot scheme based at six North West clubs – Bolton Wanderers, Manchester City, Manchester United, Bury, Oldham Athletic and Preston – has thrived into an extensive national programme.
Club-based Community initiatives are now well-established at all professional clubs in England and Wales and many non-league clubs now boast healthy schemes, making excellent contributions to their respective local communities.
In many cases, this work – which now includes programmes across areas such as coaching, health, education, social inclusion and equalities issues – involves former professional footballers.
Community Champions
Some of the more well-known former players presently involved include David Busst (at Coventry City), Alex Williams MBE (Manchester City) Keith Hicks (at Rochdale), Mick Ferguson (at Leeds Utd), Shaun Gore (at Chelsea), Ray Walker (at Crewe Alexandra), Derrick Spence (at Blackpool) and Ian Ormondroyd (at Bradford City).
Others who worked tirelessly for many years include Tommy Hutchison (a PFA Special Merit Award winner) who worked at Bristol City, Roger Morgan whose work saw a significant growth of West Ham United’s community commitment and Tony Currie who inspired a generation at Sheffield United. Two ‘Community’ men who deserve special recognition are Mick Baxter, the former Community Manager at Preston North End, and Brian Hall at Liverpool who have both sadly passed away.
Social Responsibilities
This involvement of former players helped to stimulate support from current players.
This commitment has seen an increase in player engagement year on year to over 40,000 appearances by PFA members in 2015. We are proud that players continue to embrace their social responsibilities and all 72 English Football League clubs now nominate their own Community Champions and Player Ambassadors.
“Player engagement has increased every year to over 40,000 appearances by PFA members in 2015”
With the support of the PFA, a number of players, such as Jermaine Defoe and James Milner have even set up their own Foundations to address charitable issues.
Community visits in numbers
Key player engagement stats for 2015
- 3,382 Education visits. More than doubled over the past 10 years.
- 967 Girls/women’s football visits. An increase from 194 in the last 10 years.
- 1,763 Anti-racism visits. More than doubled across the last decade.
- 1,438 Health visits. An increase from 538 in the past 10 years.
- 40,087 Total player visits. A huge rise from 9,720 over the last decade.
Inspirational Role Models
Today the PFA’s role is focussed around Capability Status and Community Player Engagement Recommendations, which form part of an overarching Governance structure endorsed by both the Premier League Charitable Fund and Football League Trust. Formalised player appearance procedures ensure that the PFA remains at the heart of all Community work, providing inspirational role models to underpin activities.
As we celebrate the achievements of the PFA’s Community support over the past 30 years we continue to embrace the changing needs of our society inclusion, sports participation and equalities. We also see the positive difference Community work has made through the partnership with football’s governing bodies and the influence of our members both past and present.
Corporate Social Responsibility is no longer the best kept secret but we must ensure that the vision shown by those pioneers back in 1986 – especially that of our Chief Executive, Gordon Taylor OBE – continues with the PFA playing a leading role for positive Community impact.
The original aims of the PFA community scheme in 1986
- To provide employment and training for unemployed people.
- To promote closer links between professional football clubs and their local community.
- To involve minority and ethnic groups in social and recreational activities.
- To attempt to prevent acts of hooliganism and vandalism.
- To maximise the use of facilities at the football club.
Celebrating 30 years of the PFA’s Community Programme brochure: click here.
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