This is Premier League

'Our job is just as important as that of the players'

27 Mar 2017
Premier League people: Richard Adams

Stoke City Community Trust's Richard Adams on how the club are helping local people

Related Articles
Premier League People
Muniesa Makes City 7s Visit External Link
Shaqiri Back In Action External Link

Behind the scenes at any Premier League club there is a lot of activity outside of matchdays, and in the community departments of clubs the weekdays are often busier than the weekends.

Richard Adams, a projects officer at Stoke City Community Trust, took us behind the scenes on a typical day. 

The Trust is devoted to the local community of Stoke-on-Trent, Newcastle-under-Lyme, the wider Staffordshire area and parts of North-West Shropshire.

Each year it aims to benefit the lives of about 150,000 children and young people, as well as helping the older generations in the area.

“In Stoke there’s a high number of deprived areas, and there’s a lot of young people who would like to access our services and get involved," Adams says.

"That's not just in football. We work with a lot of NEETs – young people who want to improve their CVs and increase their employment opportunities when they leave our scheme.

Stoke City Premier League Kicks
Stoke City Community Trust looks to help up to 150,000 local youngsters each year

“There’s a big demand at the moment, not just in sport but young people and older people with perhaps mental health problems, and all aspects of things you get in a typical community.”

From helping to organise Premier League Kicks sessions to joining a reading project at a local school, Adams makes sure Stoke City are seen not just as a football team among the local community.

"Our day-to-day job is a long way from the 30,000 people who come to the stadium to watch the action but it is just as important," Adams says.

"There are a lot of people in Stoke-on-Trent who are not as fortunate as the players but we need to engage them and know what makes them tick, so we can have a positive impact on their futures."

See: Premier League People - Behind the scenes at the clubs

Latest Videos

More Videos

Video is currently not available.

14 Nov 2024

FPL Pod: 'Why I'm picking Palmer over Saka'

Fantasy expert Sam Bonfield reveals why she favours the Chelsea midfielder to the Arsenal star

Your details have been submitted successfully.

You have already entered this competition. Please check your email for further information.

Your details have been submitted successfully.

Create a Premier League account

Continue

You are logged in as

Enter your details