Port Vale was named EFL Community Club of the Year after serving more than 300,000 meals and helping 51,000 people during the pandemic. 72 sites together deliver a staggering 1.4 million food parcels blocked
- The EFL Awards recognize the community work of all 72 clubs in the three divisions
- Chairman Rick Parry applauded the fantastic efforts made by the EFL clubs to support the communities
- Blackburn, Sunderland, Bristol Rovers, Watford and Portsmouth won regionally
- Cardiff City midfielder Will Vaulks won the PFA player in the community
Port Vale was named Community Club of the Year after distributing 300,000 meals to support fans and residents during the pandemic.
The Stoke-on-Trent Club reacted incredibly quickly to the coronavirus and made the staff available for major relief efforts from March last year.
In total, more than 50,000 vulnerable people received help, not just in the form of food. The club also made 6,000 calls to those at risk.
Port Vale celebrates after being named Your Move Community Club of the year
“Our fans needed more help than ever before,” said Carol Shanahan, Port Vale chairwoman.
“In our wildest dreams, we never thought that we would achieve what we actually achieved.
“The important thing is to meet the needs of the community. It doesn’t have to be big to be successful. Just the right help at the right time. ‘
The Valiants were named Midlands Winner at Your Move Community Club of the Year at the EFL Awards on Wednesday, before being named National Champion at Sky Sports on Thursday.
The Stoke City championship team sponsored the walking of football among the elderly in the pottery as part of a league-wide effort by all 72 clubs in the EFL to support their communities
“There are a lot of people who need this,” said Vale fan Vera, who received calls during the lockdown. “I’m just here alone. It’s nice that someone calls you and you just have a little chat. ‘
The awards also recognized the efforts of individual players who take the time to build community trust within their club.
Cardiff City midfielder Will Vaulks, 27, received the PFA Player in the Community Award for his great efforts during the pandemic.
Cardiff City’s Will Vaulks won the PFA Player in the Community Award – his second win
“This type of work is so important as a footballer to give back,” said Vaulks, who also won an EFL award in 2019 when he played for Rotherham United.
“We get so much from the local community. As footballers we get a bit of a stick, but we have a good life and we have a responsibility.
“We are visited by boys and girls and we have a responsibility to give something back.”
Vaulks also won the Championship Player in the Community Award, while Bristol Rovers winger Alex Rodman, 34, won the first division and Newport County midfielder Matthew Dolan, 28, won the second division.
The past year has seen an incredible response for the community trusts of the 72 EFL clubs.
Rick Parry (left), chairman of the EFL, welcomed the clubs’ “remarkable” support for their communities, and Ryan Yates of Nottingham Forest was busy delivering food packages
Together they have delivered 1.4 million food packages, made 500,000 calls and distributed 200,000 personal protective equipment.
‘It was fantastic. We have seen some wonderful success stories and incredible challenges, ”said Rick Parry, chairman of the EFL.
‘We saw the best in all of our clubs, it was a huge effort. It’s something to be excited and proud of. ‘
Your Move Community Club of the year – regional winners
London
Watford was the winner in the capital. The Hornets distributed 50,000 hot meals, turned hospitality suites on Vicarage Road into bedrooms to isolate NHS staff, made 2,500 welfare calls, and supported 3,000 children through the club’s Positive Minds initiative.
Southeast and east
Portsmouth won the operation of a communal kitchen in this region, which not only offered 400 meals a week to vulnerable people, but also taught cooking skills to children and young people.
South Wales and South West
Bristol Rovers received the Southwest Award for providing opportunities for women and girls to develop skills and confidence in the sport and for the club’s involvement in the Tackling Loneliness project
northwest
Blackburn Rovers were the winners in the Northwest. The club’s news hit a million impressions, 2,000 support calls were made and 1,200 hours of Helpto staff were deployed in the local community.
Northeast
Sunderland won in the northeast for a huge effort to help the local community by distributing three tons of groceries, over 100 Christmas gifts, and helping 1,000 families, among other things.
Midlands
Port Vale won the Central Plateau and earned the national title for helping more than 50,000 people in the local community.