Walsall FC have been giving away free t-shirts to Year 3 and 4 pupils, as well as family match tickets to nearly 200 children, ahead of the Barnsley game tomorrow.
Saddlers players have been visiting primary schools, taking part in Premier League Fans Fund workshops and distributing t-shirts, supported by club principle sponsor HomeServe, to the youngsters.
Defenders Jon Guthrie and Nicky Devlin joined an assembly at North Walsall Primary Academy.
Then the following week Luke Leahy and Isaiah Osbourne met children at Caldmore Primary Academy, who took part in a question and answer session with the players.
The ‘More Than 90 Minutes’ project has seen us develop the new Junior Fan Zone at the Banks ’s Stadium and now deliver workshops to 15 classes in local primaries.
Targeting under-represented supporter groups, Walsall FC Community Programme will distribute family tickets to a total of 500 pupils, covering two league games.
Adam Davy, Community Director, said: "Between ourselves and the club, a lot of hard work has gone on since September to establish the Fan Zone and organise the supporter packs and t-shirts. The culmination of this hard work has been these workshops that we will deliver between now and April. It always pleases me to see the excited reaction from the children involved and I can't wait to see them all in their t-shirts at a game."
Daniel Mole, Walsall FC Club Secretary and Director, said: “It has been great to be involved with the workshops in local primary schools. We’re pleased to continue our commitment to engaging with younger fans and making them proud to be Walsall FC. We’re looking forward to a bumper crowd against Barnsley and seeing the sea of red shirts in the stadium, and hopefully we’ll see some of the children back supporting the Saddlers in future as well.
Amy Bills, Executive Principal, added: "The pupils loved the visit from Walsall FC, and the players, and were delighted to receive the free t-shirts and tickets. I would like to thank the players, Walsall FC, The Football Foundation and HomeServe for helping make this happen for my schools."
Pictures: Tim Thursfield, Tim Sturgess, Walsall FC Community Programme
