Young fans welcomed onto Anfield turf
Local school children from Anfield enjoyed a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity at Liverpool’s Premier League clash against Sunderland.
Pupils from Florence Melly Community Primary, New Park Primary, Whitefield Primary and Notre Dame Catholic College were invited along to the Reds’ home to enjoy the match on Saturday November 26 and were also welcomed onto the pitch during half-time.
The children attended the game as part of the club’s Young Fan Ticket Initiative, which aims to give more local and young supporters the chance to experience a match day at Anfield.
Kieran Baillie, a year five teacher at Florence Melly, said: “Our pupils were lucky enough to have the honour of gracing the pitch at half-time, which was literally a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
“The children radiated positivity and pride coming off the pitch, and couldn’t stop talking about their experiences for the rest of the day. The club have created a moment they will relive forever.”
Florence Melly is one of 25 local schools benefitting from the initiative and will receive tickets to four Premier League home games during the 2016-17 season.
The school plans to use the tickets to incentivise attendance and good behaviour, as well as to provide opportunities for their disadvantaged pupils.
Kieran added: “Despite the school being a stone’s throw from Anfield, many of our pupils would never have had the opportunity to attend a match at the stadium.
“The initiative run by LFC has changed that. It has provided a real buzz not only in our school but across the local area, and it has already started to show a positive impact.
“The club has reached out to the local community and we are all delighted, especially the children of Florence Melly. Liverpool FC has started to create a lasting legacy for our children.”
The club is currently working in partnership with 25 schools in the Anfield area to offer these incentive-based tickets to local youngsters. Each school will be donated 11 free tickets to four Premier League home games during the 2016-17 season – over 1,000 tickets in total.