NewsVirgil van Dijk surprises LFC Foundation's Premier League Community Captain with special award

LFC Foundation’s Eddie Sullivan arrived at the training ground with the intention of collecting shirts for young participants, only to be surprised by Reds captain Van Dijk, who informed him of his award and presented him with his trophy and pennant.

After receiving the news, a proud and emotional Eddie was then invited to meet the rest of the squad and head coach Arne Slot to share his story and make lasting memories.

Eddie was selected as LFC’s Premier League Community Captain in recognition of his 27-year dedication to improving health and wellbeing of children across the Liverpool City Region as part of the Premier League’s ‘More Than A Game’ campaign.

Eddie is LFC Foundation’s longest-serving member of staff, spanning almost three decades, and played a key role in supporting the Premier League Kicks programme, which marks its 20th anniversary this year.

The 70-year-old is one of 93 Community Captains nominated this season for the positive impact they have had in their local area. The ‘More Than A Game’ campaign, which is being marked at this weekend’s dedicated community fixture, celebrates individuals making a positive impact through Premier League-funded community programmes.

Eddie not only fully embodies the work of LFC Foundation but has gone above and beyond for generations to make a difference in young people’s lives. He sets up and attends every Premier League Kicks session, now overseeing the children of some of those young people he used to coach on the pitch at Anfield Sports and Community Centre in his earlier years with the charity.

He is recognised throughout the Anfield community through his work with LFC Foundation, in his younger years driving to youth clubs and schools in his red minibus to give children matchday programmes and teach them football skills.

It’s not just here in Liverpool that Eddie has made an impact. He has joined the charity on 20 international trips spreading the word of LFC Foundation and teaching practical football techniques to young people around the world.

Speaking to Eddie after presenting him with his award, Van Dijk said: “You deserve it. A lot of people love you and we all appreciate the work you have done for so many years and will continue to do so.”

Matt Parish, chief executive of LFC Foundation, added: “’Everyone at LFC Foundation and Liverpool Football Club is really proud that Eddie Sullivan has been named our Community Captain for this season.

“Eddie turned 70 this season and has worked at the Foundation for over 25 years. During that time, he has had a positive impact on the lives of thousands of young people, many of them who now bring their own children and even grandchildren to our programmes. He is one of the first faces you look for when you get to our office, and he always has a joke or one-liner to share.”

Everyone at LFC Foundation and LFC would like to thank Eddie for his incredible commitment to his work and congratulate him on a very well-deserved award.

At this weekend’s match against Tottenham Hotspur, LFC is proud to be supporting the Premier League’s ‘More Than A Game’ campaign, which helps celebrate people like Eddie from across the world of football.

This year’s campaign coincides with the Premier League Kicks 20th anniversary, which is a programme delivered by 93 clubs across the Premier League, EFL and National League, delivering free weekly football and personal development sessions.

Since the launch of the programme, which uses the power of football to inspire young people to reach their potential, more than 600,000 young people have participated at more than 5,000 venues across England and Wales, with sessions taking place in some of the most high-need areas, supporting those who need it most.

You can find out more about LFC Foundation’s Premier League Kicks programme here.