Danny Hylton and Alan Sheehan had an extra training session this afternoon as the Hatters stars joined in with children from seven junior and primary schools in Luton as part of the EFL Day of Action – a day to celebrate the work of our Community Trusts.
All 72 EFL clubs come together on the same day for the EFL’s Day of Action to demonstrate the positive impact football can have in changing young people’s lives.
Managers and players from the EFL’s 72 clubs were attending events up and down the country including projects that target mental health, disability and obesity.
At the Luton Town Community Trust’s Ely Way hub, manager Nathan Jones helped kick off an Every Player Counts key stage 2 football festival for local school children in Years 3-6 with learning difficulties and/or disabilities.
Then striker Hylton topped up his goal tally for the season while Sheehan avoided injury – just about! – as the players joined in the fun with the children before signing autographs.
“We pride ourselves on our community work and the EFL Day of Action is a great thing,” said manager Jones. “It reaches out to a lot of people and we are proud to be part of that.
“I grew up in a mining community where having a ball at my feet was the be-all and end-all. It’s wonderful, the happiest of times.
“It’s not just kids either. The guys involved in the Community Trust do so much good work and bring pleasure to so many in the area by getting them with a ball at their feet. It’s fantastic to see.”
We were joined by teams from Ferrars Junior, Foxdell Junior, Downside Primary, Stopsley Primary, Farley Junior, Denbigh Primary and Wigmore Primary, and Hylton added: “It’s so good to get involved with these kids today – we’ve had a great time – and I’ve managed to bag a few goals too!
“The coaches on the Community Trust are out all day and night, giving all children and even adults in the local area the opportunity to play football, and long may it continue. My hat goes off to them.
“Events like this puts smiles on their faces and it gets the kids out and keeps them healthy.”
Defender Sheehan enjoyed doing battle with Hylton in a series of games in which they lined up on opposite sides.
The Hatters vice-captain, who is set to bring up his century of appearances for the club on Saturday, said: “It’s great to see so many happy faces out there and all the kids enjoying themselves – even the one who tried to take me out!
“It’s great to come down here and see them so happy and give them a small bit back. It’s the least we can do.”
Look out for features on the Hatters’ even on ITV News Anglia between 6-6.30pm tonight, and BBC Look East from 6.30pm onwards.
There will also be footage shared on the EFL website www.efl.com and on Sky Sports News, who aired a live interview with Sheehan and the Trust’s Schools and Sports Manager James Hatch while the even was in progress this afternoon.
For more information on the Luton Town Community Trust, visit their website www.lutontowncommunity.co.uk