Plan For Premier League Clubs To Donate 100,000 Free Tickets To NHS Staff As 'Thank You'

As a thank you to NHS staff for their tireless efforts during the coronavirus outbreak, there is a campaign for Premier League clubs to donate 100,000 tickets when football returns.

Thousands of healthcare workers are going above and beyond at this difficult time as the virus continues to have such a devastating effect on people around the world.

And although football has taken a back seat in recent weeks, top flight sides Brighton and Bournemouth have already pledged to donate a minimum of 1,000 tickets to NHS staff and their families to say thank you.

Image: PA

Brighton chief-executive Paul Barber wants other Premier League sides to follow suit.

"We are working on a range of things across all areas of the community and I hope this will be just the start," he said.

"We fully appreciate football is the last thing on anyone's mind at this moment, but we feel this is a small way in which we can show our gratitude for those NHS staff on the front line who are fighting the battle on behalf of all of us and give them something to look forward to.

"If each of the 92 clubs committed on average one thousand tickets, with The FA donating for a future England international and Scottish Premier League and Irish League clubs also contributing, we could easily top 100,000 tickets for these heroes."

Bournemouth chairman Jeff Mostyn has already accepted the challenge from Barber.

"We are absolutely delighted to match Brighton's gesture and commit to one thousand tickets, and we will pass the baton to another club with the aim of reaching a significant target so football as a whole can show its appreciation for our country's NHS workers." he said.

In addition to their ticket donation, Brighton and Hove Albion players and staff will soon get in contact with 3000 'elderly and vulnerable' supporters over the age of 70 to discuss whether they need help at this difficult time.

They have also set in place a three-month payment holiday option for monthly season-ticket holders, according to The Telegraph.

A great gesture from both clubs. Let's hope other Premier League clubs follow their lead.

Topics: Football News, Football, Premier League, Coronavirus

Jack Kenmare

Jack Kenmare is a writer at SPORTbible. He's interviewed some of the biggest names in sport, including Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Pele, Carles Puyol and Tim Henman. He dabbles in all things sport but football is his biggest passion. He was once hit in the head by a wayward strike from Nicky Butt and lived to tell the tale.

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