Celebrating Sky Blues in the Community at CBS Arena

Taiwo Owatemi MP for Coventry North West, CCFC manager Frank Lampard & Mary Creagh MP

Mary Creagh MP joined community groups, former players the National League, Sport England, the Football Foundation, Women in Football, Women in Sport when the English Football League (EFL) came to Coventry to celebrate the incredible work that football clubs do for their communities.

With the Sky Blues increasing their lead at the top of in the Championship, England legend and CCFC Manager Frank Lampard talked about the top flight work of Sky Blues in the Community.

Led by Dave Busst – who was given a lifetime achievement award this year from the Professional Footballers’ Association for his work – Sky Blues in the Community support and empower people across the city. Recently they have been championing Dementia Active, a programme that offers gentle sports and physical activities combined with social opportunities.

Mary has seen the positive impact they are making in Coventry East, and across Coventry and the surrounding area. She said, “Let’s hope that the wins keep on coming - on the pitch and in the community!”

The work undertaken by the 72 EFL club charities has an impact across key areas linked to issues ranked high on the national government agenda, such as health, education and criminal justice. Football Club charities help to relieve pressures on the country’s national systems in a bid to help improve the quality of people’s lives.

They positively influence the lives of young and older people across the country with wide-ranging programmes. In the 2023/24 season they delivered over 801,000 hours of community activity, engaged 1.1 million people, and generated £1.26 billion in social value.