Football clubs from top flight to grassroots level have been providing vital services to their local communities after the domestic season was halted by the coronavirus pandemic.
Professional clubs such as Crystal Palace, Blackburn and Port Vale among others have been using their resources to help fans who are set to be without football until at least April 30.
Even smaller community clubs such as Uttoxeter Town, who ply their trade in the 10th tier of English football, are doing their best to help those in need.
“Various people came up with different ideas and the one that we thought was most workable was distributing prescriptions to the elderly and vulnerable that can’t get out because of the current situation.
“We are doing key areas locally to about a 12-mile radius. We have got a resource so we thought we’d try and utilise it as best as we could. When they need us, we will be there.”
They are working in conjunction with the Balance Street Health Centre and hope the numbers will increase as more people become aware of the service.
Landells added: “Because of the social distancing, we have an employee from the local dispensary on the back of the bus with all the prescriptions, we place the items outside the door, wait for them to receive the prescriptions and present the meds to them.
“We are trying to lead by example.”
Rovers, alongside catering partner Sodexo, donated over £5,500 worth of food and supplies to the foodbank and have ensured that seven community trust employees will assist three days a week to help deliver food packages for up to 40 families.
“As a community trust, our work very much revolves around working within all communities in our town, to support and help those that need it most, even more so at a critical time which we are currently experiencing.
“We are extremely proud to be offering our help and as an organisation we will continue to do so until we are told otherwise.”
Sky Bet Championship side West Brom have donated 150 parcels from produce at the Hawthorns to NHS frontline staff and delivered essentials to foodbanks and community centres using donations from local businesses.
Port Vale have been delivering food care packages to the “most vulnerable” around the Stoke-on-Trent area, while fellow League Two club Stevenage have offered a “community care service” which includes food bank donations and a phone service for over people aged over 70.
