Premier League clubs at Christmas: Festive support for communities Pt 1

This festive season, Premier League clubs have continued their commitment to supporting their communities with hospital visits - and surprise ones too!

Here's how they have been spreading festive cheer this Christmas.

First-team players from Aston Villa including FIFA World Cup winner Emiliano Martinez as well as Ollie Watkins joined head coach Unai Emery on visits to Birmingham Children's Hospital and Acorns Children’s Hospice.

Tahith Chong, along with other Luton Town players, took gifts and met young patients, their families and staff at Luton & Dunstable University Hospital and Bedford Hospital.

"We've been trying our best to still make their Christmas [special]," he said. "You start to realise that sometimes there's stuff that's far more important in life than maybe if we have got angry about a goal scored, or not played well."

Players from Arsenal's men's and women's first teams including Gabriel Jesus, Ben White, Kim Little and Declan Rice spread festive cheer with visits to children’s wards at the Homerton, Whittington, Barnet and Royal Free hospitals.

Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe and Oleksandr Zinchenko also went to the Arsenal Hub, to see those participating in community programmes, including Arsenal Bowls, North London United’s Down Syndrome football session and Premier League Primary Stars. 

Burnley, Liverpool, Newcastle United and Everton players also dropped off gifts and made memories to last for ever with patients, their families and staff as they visited local hospitals.

As well as their players making their annual trip to Alder Hey Children's Hospital, Everton gave a surprise to young brothers James and Harry, who met their heroes Jordan Pickford and James Tarkowski when the duo made a special visit to their primary school.

Christmas is not only about children, and there were tears of joy - and the odd game of table tennis too! - when Sheffield United players joined manager Chris Wilder at Weston Park Cancer Charity, which supports people of all ages who have cancer.

"It's mixed emotions," said Wilder. "You see so many people coming in and smiling, but you obviously know that they're here for a reason. It is difficult and we are all affected by it. We try and do our best because obviously it is a difficult place to be at the moment."

From surprise home visits to young fans at home to wrapping Christmas presents and a meet and greet at Craven Cottage, Fulham's players and head coach Marco Silva got into the spirit of things too.

Young Brentford fans had the opportunity to meet their heroes and get plenty of photos and autographs.

While award-winning actor Bill Nighy and Crystal Palace fan joined Eagles manager Roy Hodgson and his players at the club's annual CPSCC Christmas Party for disabled, disadvantaged and bereaved children and their carers.