Trophy on show as club is commended
Maidenhead United FC: Premier League trophy visits the Magpies’ ground
The Premier League trophy was on show at Maidenhead United's York Road ground on Monday, as part of a celebratory tour to mark the competition's 30th anniversary.
Local school children also participated in a special Primary Stars training session on the York Road pitch. The trophy is on a UK wide road show this year to mark the anniversary and York Road was selected for one of its stop offs because of the community and charity work Maidenhead United have done in the area over the past few seasons.
The Magpies raised more than £33,000 for various charities as part of its 150th birthday celebration.
The challenge was set up during the pandemic to support 14 good causes adversely impacted by the COVID pandemic.
This followed the launch of a community support helpline where volunteers were recruited to provide support to more vulnerable residents in the community, helping them with tasks such as shopping and prescription collections.
The trophy was also at the club in the week when the Premier League announced a new £12.6m investment package to support the National League over the next three years. A sum of £9m is available to support the 72 National League clubs with running costs
and sustainability.
A further £3.6m will be available via the Premier League and Professional Footballers’ Association’s partnership to support the National League Trust and the network of club community organisations.
Maidenhead have received more than £300,000 in funding for stadium improvements from the Premier League since 2003, with grants contributing to the construction of covered seating areas, a new accessibility entrance and updated turnstiles and floodlights.
During the Premier League Trophy’s visit to York Road, lifelong fan of the club Nick Bradshaw was named as Maidenhead United FC’s Community Captain in recognition of his work as a volunteer combatting loneliness and providing support to vulnerable residents in the local community.
The club have commended Nick in particular recognition of his support of the late Levi Niemann, a remarkable resident of Maidenhead, who first became known to the club through the Magpies Community Care Helpline operated during the pandemic.
Nick formed a friendship with Levi, who was registered as blind in 2012, helping him to live more independently and even to achieve a lifetime ambition to skydive to raise funds for Guide Dogs UK. Nick was presented with a
Premier League pennant and special captain’s armband by Maidenhead United captain Alan Massey.
“A captain is someone who shows leadership and commitment and uses their ability to help others, which means Nick is a more than deserving recipient of this prestigious Premier League award,” said Massey.
“Nick is an incredible example of the relationship the club is proud to have within the community and it is testament to the hard work of everyone at the Community Trust.”
The Community Captain accolade is being given to more than 100 members of the public who have made an outstanding contribution to their club and local community, as part of the Premier League’s 30th anniversary celebrations.
Jon Adams, chief executive at Maidenhead United, said: “We are thrilled that Maidenhead United FC has been included within the Premier League Trophy Tour.
"The club has been the beneficiary of funding from the Premier League through the National League over several years.
"This funding has been vital to the development of our extensive community programme, enabling us to support the development of grassroots football and extend the range of activities available in the local area to support those most in need within our community.”