Six EFL Checkatrade Community Club of the Year regional winners have collected their awards at a ceremony held at the House of Commons to mark their outstanding work.
The awards are designed to recognise the best performing club community trusts around the country, as well as some of the key individuals associated to the projects, whether that be in a participating or coaching capacity.
Following an application process open to all 72 EFL clubs, Blackburn Rovers, Portsmouth, Charlton Athletic, Bristol City, Derby County and Middlesbrough were all celebrated for their innovative and groundbreaking work across multiple areas over the past year.
The evening, sponsored by Andrew Griffiths MP, was hosted by broadcaster Colin Murray with EFL Chairman Ian Lenagan and Sports Minister Tracey Crouch just some of those to acknowledge the work of not only the six regional winners, but the club trusts across the EFL.
Chairman of the EFL, Ian Lenagan, praised the work currently being done at Club Trusts across all 72 clubs, saying: “It is a fitting environment for recognising excellence and we are here today to celebrate the outstanding work and impact that EFL clubs and their Trusts make on a daily basis, seven days a week, 365 days a year in communities nationwide.
“Football clubs have a special role in society, with a unique ability to make a positive impact on the lives of millions of supporters in so many ways.
“There is no other outlet or collective that can deliver the scale of activity we see from our network of clubs across so many important areas - whether it’s innovative and groundbreaking work across inclusion, charitable causes, community engagement, education and health – it is football that delivers.”
The overall Checkatrade Community Club of the Year winner will be unveiled at the EFL Awards, taking place at The Hilton on Park Lane, London, on 15th April.