£10M emergency support package from The National Lottery gives lifeline to National League clubs while fans are unable to attend.
AFC Telford United would like to thank National Lottery players for their support during these challenging times. We are very grateful to benefit from a share of the £10M of funding that has been announced for all 66 National League clubs as part of a unique partnership between the National League and The National Lottery which will ensure that this season can continue in a sustainable way for our club.
With 16 boys and girls teams; U18s Youth team; 2 post-16 teams in an education partnership with Coaching Connextions, Ladies team and a Disability coaching programme, the club is truly at the heart of the community. In addition to this, the club runs a community programme accross the borough of Telford & Wrekin as well as operate a 5 a side football centre for the local community to use on a evening the funding ensures that the good work of the club can continue.
Football Operations Manager Luke Shelley said, “The support from the National Lottery ensures as a football club we can continue to operate the vital work we do in the area of Telford & Wrekin. We have over 300 youth players taking part in team and organised games every week with over 50 volunteers, coaches and managers supporting that. We have a thriving community programme that provides opportunity for both the young and elderly members of our community and a busy 5 a side centre that has enabled the community to come out a play sport to help with their mental health and well-being”
We are a huge community asset. Protecting this, and the work of the other National League clubs, is essential for communities across the country. I can’t thank National Lottery players enough for this lifeline.”
The partnership with The National Lottery will benefit all clubs in the fifth and six tiers of English football, so that they can continue to play behind closed doors after the return of fans was paused due to rising infection rates. As a thank you, National Lottery players, who make a difference every time they buy a ticket, will also get a range of benefits – including free tickets once stadia are safe to reopen, grassroots football opportunities and VIP experiences at Wembley Stadium.
Nigel Railton, Chief Executive of National Lottery operator Camelot, said: “The National Lottery and its players have been making a huge difference to communities across the country for the past 26 years, so we’re delighted to be working with the National League to protect these all-important clubs and help them continue the vital work they carry out locally. They do a fantastic job and I can’t wait to cheer on my local National League side when fans are allowed to return.”
