Walsall FC players visited two activities run by the club’s official charity this week, as clubs and foundations celebrated EFL Week of Action.
The week showcases the collective impact of Football Club charities’ community work, with Walsall FC Foundation delivering over 30 projects in Education, Sport, Engagement and Health.
Saddlers captain Aden Flint and goalkeeper Sam Hornby joined participants at the Foundation’s Beat the Block project.
Beat the Block is supported by Hayward Transport, whose generous donation allow the Foundation to continue supporting adults with their mental and physical wellbeing.
Flint and Hornby took charge of a team each for the mental health football session at the Pallet-Track Bescot Stadium, followed by a Q&A with the pair in the Community Hub.
As well as the opportunity for an informal chat with Foundation coaches, Beat the Block also signposts adults to other local services for extended mental wellbeing support.
Flint said: “It’s good to see the numbers here and doing stuff they enjoy is important as well.
“Getting out, playing football and having a good time, it can take their mind off any troubles they have and gives that little sense of escape really.”
Sam Hornby was named Walsall FC Foundation’s Community Player of the Year for the 2024/25 season, and understands the vital impact players and clubs can have in their local communities.
He added: “Coming down here is just an hour in our day, which is nothing for us to give back to people and share our experiences.
“Hopefully we can put a smile on a few faces, as someone they look up to and see playing on the pitch a Saturday, and can brighten up their day.”
Midfielders Charlie Lakin and Ryan Finnigan also joined the Foundation’s Post 16 Football & Education students for a coaching workshop at the stadium.
Students discussed coaching styles and leadership qualities as part of their BTEC Sports Coaching course, with the players adding input from their career experiences in the professional game.
Research analysing data from the 2023/24 season found that more than one million people engaged in Club community projects across the towns and cities served by EFL Clubs.
More EFL findings from 2023/24 also showed Walsall FC and Walsall FC Foundation had generated over £12.9million of social value across its full range of programmes.
Foundation Director Adam Davy, said: “We’re pleased to be able to shine a light on Walsall FC Foundation’s activities across a range of projects for EFL Week of Action.
“We’re delighted to have the first-team so involved with our charity, not just during the Week of Action, but throughout the year. We have community player visits, supported by the PFA, taking place most weeks at schools, community groups, the stadium and more.
“It’s great to see the difference the professional players can have on people of all ages.
“With our Foundation Fixture and Annual Dinner both coming up at the end of the November, we’re proud to showcase our impact for 2025 and exciting plans for the future.”
The work undertaken by the 72 Club charities has a sizeable impact across key areas linked to issues ranked high on the national government agenda, such as health, education and criminal justice. Football Club charities help to relieve pressures on the country’s national systems in a bid to help improve the quality of people’s lives.
Trevor Birch, CEO of the EFL, said: “The EFL Week of Action celebrates and demonstrates the formidable, life-changing impact that our Clubs and their Charities are making in their local communities.
“Whether it’s supporting men, women, and children with mental health challenges, providing warm spaces and hot meals to families facing financial difficulties, or assisting those recovering from addiction, EFL Clubs are truly at the heart of their communities. They respond to, and proactively address, some of society’s biggest challenges.
“I am always extremely proud to hear about the depth and breadth of services provided by Club charities and the positive contribution they make – work that is both locally relevant and nationally significant.”
Photos: Tim Thursfield & Anna Gowthorpe
