Football foodbanks launch PPV campaign

By John Ratomski

So far this week tens of thousands of football fans have donated to their local food banks. Newcastle United fans donated over £20,000 rather than watch last weekend’s PPV game. The two Manchester clubs have seen over £25,000 donated to the city’s nineteen foodbanks, and The Leeds United Trust has seen £31,000 donated locally. Alongside all of the other Premier League clubs, Irons Supporting Foodbanks are asking our fans to make an affordable donation to their local food bank and to boycott the £14.95 pay per view charge instead of paying this money to Sky Sports and BT Sport.

Whilst we are currently in a run of three scheduled televised games covered by normal Sky Sports/BT Sport subscriptions, the extra surcharge for PPV (for West Ham fans likely to be for the Fulham game), comes at a difficult time where families are trying to make ends meet during the Covid crisis with the various tier restrictions and further furlough.

A spokesperson for Irons Supporting Foodbanks added ‘This week we’ve seen 10,000’s of fans helping 10’000’s of people. This is fan activism at its best. Until the broadcasters revise their charge down to a realistic price point we ask that our fans support Newham Foodbank and if possible donate at www.justgiving/crowdfunding/IronsSupportingFoodbanks. We are pleased that fan groups including WHUISA are supporting this campaign.’