Wolves and Aston Villa join forces to launch #PlayersTogether initiative
Players from Wolves and Villa have joined forces with their Premier League counterparts to create an initiative aimed at raising funds for NHS charities during the coronavirus pandemic.
The scheme, named #PlayersTogether, has been set up to help those on the NHS frontline and has partnered with NHS Charities Together.
It was launched on Wednesday night by more than 150 Premier League players including several from both West Midlands’ top flight representatives.
Wolves’ Joao Moutinho, Ruben Neves and Rui Patricio were among those who tweeted a statement from the group, along with Villa counterparts Tom Heaton, Tyrone Mings and Mbwana Samatta.
With Albion in the Championship, it is understood skipper Jake Livermore has not been contacted by the players together movement.
But the Express & Star understands Baggies players are pursuing their own ways in which they can help.
Premier League players had found themselves under fire from the government after some clubs placed non-playing staff on furlough.
But talks over the best way to help society during the pandemic were already underway between players, with Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson among those driving the initiative.
A statement from the group said: “Over the course of the last week we, as a group of Premier League players, have held numerous talks together with the vision of creating a contribution fund that can be used to distribute money to where it’s needed most in this COVID-19 crisis; helping those fighting for us on the NHS frontline as well as other key areas of need.
“This is a critical time for our country and for our NHS, and we are determined to help in any way that we can.
“We can confirm that after extensive conversations between a huge number of players from all Premier League clubs we have created our own collective player initiative, #PlayersTogether, and have partnered with NHS Charities Together (NHSCT) in order to assist them in generating and distributing funds quickly and efficiently to where they are needed most.”
Health secretary Matt Hancock’s criticism during last Thursday’s daily briefing heightened the issue about players taking salary reductions but he praised the players’ announcement on Wednesday night.
“Warmly welcome this big-hearted decision from so many Premier League footballers to create #PlayersTogether to support NHS Charities. You are playing your part,” Hancock wrote on Twitter.
Former England players Gary Lineker and Gary Neville took to the social networking website to congratulate the players for an initiative the statement said was “separate to any other club and league conversations”.
