Vital that Millwall’s player help promote community schemes – Kavanagh on ‘Together Supporting Communities’ initiative
Steve Kavanagh says it is vital that Millwall players take part in their community schemes.
The Lions helped launch the EFL’s ‘Together – Supporting Communities’ initiative to support the communities and fans of the 72 league clubs during the cost-of-living crisis.
Millwall hold weekly coffee mornings at The Den with midfielder and academy product Billy Mitchell in attendance on Wednesday.
The Lions also have the Lions Food Hub, discounted after school and holidays clubs and the ‘donate a coat’ scheme.
When asked about Mitchell being there, Kavanagh said: “It’s vital. It’s vital that fans and players understand each other because that camaraderie leads on to the pitch as well.
“But also it is about players understanding what people are going through, understanding the fans in terms of their needs. Players sometimes can live in a bubble and it really brings home what’s going on outside of their bubble.
“The players know what our fans go through and that’s really important. Billy comes from a Millwall family and Billy’s there and perfect for doing that and he won’t let the other players step away from that.
“It was interesting talking to Glenn Murray, he said about players in the Premier League really don’t get – not only what fans are going through – but actually even the travel on a match day as they’re travelling around.
“It’s important to open players’ eyes to that and our players take part in that. Scott Malone – I’ve seen Scott bring some food in for the Lions Food Hub and them doing those things and feeling part of what this community is, is important.
“It’s great that we are able to lead that and show what’s going on, it’s also important to recognise that we’re doing our bit, clubs up and down the country are doing their piece as well.
“But for us to be at the front end of this to promote this is fantastic. I’m an EFL director and it’s important to me to understand that we do this work, clubs do this work, clubs are community assets and it’s really important that the press actually get to understand this works been going on.
“We haven’t suddenly woken up and gone there’s a cost of living crisis, let’s do this. This has been going on – these coffee mornings have been run since Covid but actually the cost of living crisis has allowed us to shine the light on this sort of work and that’s really important that that light really gets shone on what is going on in the communities up and down the country.
“Clubs are community assets and that’s why things like the Fan Led Review are important because we can’t risk losing these community assets, we are essential to communities.”