As we anticipate tonight’s 10 p.m. kickoff, let’s delve into a heartfelt story featuring ex-England striker Alan Shearer.
Shearer recently made a memorable gesture to his local community by surprising Newcastle Panthers Football Club with brand new training kits. Remarkably, the Panthers are the sole LGBTQIA+ inclusive football club in the North-East.
Moreover, the Panthers had already benefited this year from a grassroots grant via the Cash4Clubs program, a £500,000 initiative by Flutter that supported 250 community clubs across the UK and Ireland. The club received a special video message from Shearer himself, who unveiled their new training attire funded by Flutter.
In the message, Shearer enthusiastically stated, ‘Newcastle Panthers FC, I’m thrilled to announce you as one of the 250 grassroots sports clubs awarded a Cash4Clubs grant this year.’
He further explained, ‘This initiative is part of Flutter’s £500,000 commitment to grassroots sports. The grant celebrates your remarkable efforts in unifying individuals, promoting active lifestyles among adults, and fostering the growth of community football.’
‘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.’
Top class from Shearer and from Flutter because it’s tournaments like the World Cup that inspire the next generation to want to get out and play and giving them a helping hand en route to doing so is key to developing the next batch of stars.
Newcastle Panthers Football Club, the only LGBTQIA+ friendly football team in the North-East, were recipients of a grassroots grant from the Cash4Clubs programme – a £500,000 scheme funded by Flutter which supported 250 community clubs across the UK and Ireland this year.
