Marcus Rashford's free school meals campaign has been one of the truly inspiring stories of 2020. He deserves all the praise and recognition coming in his way. However it's worth recognising that lots of football clubs have also tried to make a positive difference to their communities in what has been the most challenging of years. Following the positive reaction to Toby Houchin,'s recent post on Top 10 Football Club Tweets, we ask him to compile his Top 10 Football Club Charity Campaigns of the year:
1) Leyton Orient: #Quaran-Team Challenge
A brilliant initiative organised by "The O's" out of the desire to bring football clubs together during a time of unprecedented measures surrounding Covid-19. It also raised vital funds for EFL clubs who are going to have massive financial struggles, as well as other good causes. 128 clubs have signed up to take part in a FIFA tournament - dubbed ‘Ultimate Quaran-Team’ - from Premier League champions Man City through to League 2, and clubs from Europe, America, Australia and Africa.
2) Manchester United/Manchester City: #acityunited
Manchester City and Manchester United put rivalry aside and donated a combined £100,000 to help food banks in Greater Manchester meet increased demand from vulnerable people as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
3) Brighton & Hove Albion: #TogetherintheCommunity
This campaign was launched to support people in Sussex with the aim to help them to get active and stay well and to help people keep learning.
4) Southampton Saints : ‘#SaintsasOne’
This outreach and engagement project has been designed to help fans and members of society who find themselves isolated and vulnerable at this time, as well as educating, entertaining and uniting the Southampton FC family as a whole.
5) Leicester City: With you then, with you now, with you again
All profits from the sale of the shirts from June 17th have been donated to the Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha Foundation and its work supporting the Leicestershire community, its response to the COVID-19 pandemic and its equality and diversity efforts.
6) Tottenham Hotspur: #HotspurHeroes
Spurs launched a #HotspurHeroes campaign, which aimed to celebrate special individuals for their contributions and give fans the chance to nominate those deserving of recognition.
6) Everton FC : Blue Family
A coordinated outreach and engagement campaign to maintain contact with fans and provide vital support and assistance to some of the most vulnerable, socially isolated and at-risk members of the community in the wake of the pandemic.
7) Liverpool FC: ‘Breakfast Clubs to You’
A great initiative to help support local Liverpool families during the coronavirus outbreak with delivery of food parcels.
8) Chelsea FC : ‘Talkin’ Kicks’
Chelsea created a special podcast for young people to engage at home during Lockdown:
9) Crystal Palace: Palace Pad Chat
Palace Pad Chat is for anyone who loves gaming and wants to discuss life in isolation with a qualified mentor from Palace for Life Foundation, the official charity of Crystal Palace F.C.
10) Forest Green Rovers: Talk Club FGR
A campaign organised by Forest Green Rovers aimed at men over the age of 18 that allows them the opportunity to talk, share and support one another virtually.
By Toby Houchin