As the countdown continues to tonight’s 10pm kick-off, a heartwarming football story has emerged involving former England striker Alan Shearer.
The Three Lions legend delivered a memorable surprise to Newcastle Panthers Football Club, his local amateur side and the only LGBTQIA+ friendly football team in the North-East, by helping unveil a set of brand new training kits.
The Panthers were also among the community clubs selected to receive support through Cash4Clubs, a £500,000 grassroots sports programme funded by Flutter that has backed 250 clubs across the UK and Ireland this year. Their new Flutter-funded training strips were revealed through a special video message from Shearer.
‘Newcastle Panthers FC, I’m absolutely delighted to reveal that you are one of 250 grassroots sports clubs to receive a Cash4Clubs grant this year,’ Shearer said.
‘This initiative is part of a £500,000 contribution by Flutter into grassroots sport. The award recognises the incredible work you’re doing: bringing people together, keeping adults active, and helping grassroots football thrive.
‘I’m gutted I can’t be there in person. But I’m delighted to tell you that, in addition to your grant, Flutter have bought you a new kit – and they’ve donated the sponsorship of it to The Alan Shearer Foundation – meaning you’ll play with that logo on your strip, raising awareness of the work we do in helping profoundly disabled children and adults in our area. I hope you’ll wear it with Pride.’
It is a classy gesture from both Shearer and Flutter, particularly at a time when major tournaments such as the World Cup can spark fresh enthusiasm for the game. Support like this can make a real difference at grassroots level, helping more people get on the pitch and nurturing the players, volunteers and communities that keep football moving.
Newcastle Panthers Football Club, the only LGBTQIA+ friendly football team in the North-East, received a grassroots grant through the Cash4Clubs programme, a £500,000 Flutter-funded scheme that supported 250 community clubs across the UK and Ireland this year.
