For the last two seasons, the Premier League Fans Fund, funded by the Premier League, through the Premier League Charitable Fund, has given clubs across England and Wales the opportunity to run a wide variety of programmes that strengthen connections between them, their fans and local communities.
There are 96 clubs from the Premier League, English Football League, National League, Women's Super League and Women's Championship who are now using this funding to engage with their fan base.
Here, we take a look at some of the impact the Premier League Fans Fund is having.
Forever Tigers (Hull City)
It was at one of the first Forever Tigers visits to a local care home that the Tigers Trust realised the power of their heritage and memorabilia project.
"One of the residents told me that she hated football and didn't want to be a part of it," says Richard Dexter, head of business and operations at the Tigers Trust. "I thought to myself, 'this is going to be a tough gig.'
"We started talking about a programme from 1966 and that lady stood up in front of the group and told us it was the year she met her husband. She then opened up and spoke about how and where she met her husband, how they went out dancing. It led to a really rich conversation.
"The contrast in her in the space of half an hour was incredible. The staff in the care home were amazed as she wasn't someone who normally engaged. In the following weeks when we'd go in and she was constantly talking. It was amazing to see, she highlighted the importance and the beauty of the programme."
Forever Tigers has been running since April and celebrates the rich history of Hull City by using programmes, match-worn shirts, photos and other historic items in care homes, community groups and at the Tigers Trust Arena.
The memorabilia helps to spark conversations and rekindle memories that go way beyond football. It could be about companies, shops, factories, radio programmes or just the smells, noises and senses of the time.
"Hull is a fairly isolated and deprived city and because of geographical and financial barriers, a lot of people aren't able to access the football club as much as they would like," Richard says.
"The need for programmes like this was highlighted during lockdown and just because doors opened and people were able to get out, it didn't mean that loneliness and isolation went away. Forever Tigers felt like the perfect opportunity to address some of those needs and make sure people felt supported and valued so that they can lead healthy and happy lives.
"We wanted to offer a support network and engage with those that don't have other people to talk to. It's supported their mental health and wellbeing, they are less lonely and more connected. They feel inspired and have more interest in the local football team now."
The connections being made by Forever Tigers are not limited to participants and residents taking part in the heritage sessions; its impact is being felt across the local community.
The Tigers Trust are training a bank of volunteers, from the Senior Tigers social group, to help deliver the programme which in turn provides those fans with a significant social benefit and purpose.
Hull City Academy scholars are getting involved in the sessions, helping them develop an awareness and knowledge of their club's history as well as giving them skills and interests outside of football.
Forever Tigers has also led to links and relationships being forged across the generations. Before Christmas, care home residents began writing to pupils at schools involved in the Premier League Primary Stars programme as part of a pen pal scheme reminiscing about festive celebrations in years gone by.
"Working with elderly participants is something that we've wanted to do for a long time and the Premier League Fans Fund is has provided us the perfect opportunity to do that and make it work," Richard says.
"We're incredibly grateful for the opportunity to deliver it. We have been able to engage new fans but it's also given us the chance to have an even stronger connection with the football club and its fan base, which is incredibly important.
"The role the football club plays in supporting the local community is enormous. There are a lot of people for whom the football club is a lifeline.
"Being able to make the impact that we have so quickly has been amazing and for that reason, this is probably my favourite project I've ever worked on at the Trust. It really is a unique programme."
