EPL clubs support communities during pandemic

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English Premier League (EPL) clubs have come up with a wide range of initiatives to support the United Kingdom National Health Service, charities, and communities during the coronavirus pandemic.

English Premier League (EPL) clubs have come up with a wide range of initiatives to support the United Kingdom National Health Service, charities, and communities during the coronavirus pandemic.

While the pandemic has forced the Chelsea Foundation to cancel its walking football sessions, the foundation is continuing its connection with participants.

Walking football coach Mark Blythe has stayed in touch with players, while the foundation has organised Zoom meetings featuring former Chelsea players Gary Chivers and Pat Nevin.

“Gary was also superb, not only engaging but at times he felt like an old friend and nothing seemed too much bother for him,” Chelsea Foundation walking football participant Vernon Ray told PremierLeague.com.

“It really did give me and many others something to look forward to.

“Giving your time is the greatest commodity one can offer. Chelsea have done this in abundance with ex-players, coaches, staff, etc. and to me that speaks volumes.”

Crystal Palace has delivered over 10,000 meals to vulnerable people and NHS frontline workers during the pandemic.

“We don’t have any support around us, or any family, they’re all back in South Africa. To know that Crystal Palace is providing for us is so nice and it’s such a great help for my family,” said Sarah, a pregnant mother who lost her job at the start of the pandemic and is getting support from The Palace Kitchen program.

Crystal Palace and its Palace for Life Foundation are partnering with the charity City Harvest London for the program – who have delivered over two million meals to people in need since the start of lockdown.

Tottenham Hotspur have allowed several hospital departments to use their self-named stadium.

“We are so thankful to the management at Tottenham Hotspur for this special support they’ve given to the NHS,” ultrasound manager and clinical specialist at the North Middlesex University Hospital Rogers Kalende said to PremierLeague.com.

“But then we had our tour and were shown the spacious rooms where we would have the scanning service. They were beautiful and had all the requirements we needed for the patients. It was ideal.”

Although the Premier League has returned, Tottenham plan to continue allowing these hospital departments access to the stadium, as one of the EPL clubs to support communities during this pandemic.

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Central Coast Mariners Women secure future under Holman Barnes Group

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Image Credits: Central Coast Mariners

The future of the Central Coast Mariners Women has been secured after the Holman Barnes Group (HBG) reached an agreement to become the new operator of the club’s A-League Women program. The deal ends uncertainty surrounding the team’s participation in the 2026/27 season.

The agreement between HBG, the Australian Professional Leagues (APL) and Total Soccer Growth Holdings (TSG) ensures the Mariners will remain in the Ninja A-League Women competition. It also introduces a new operating model designed to provide long-term stability.

The uncertainty emerged following TSG’s acquisition of the Central Coast Mariners’ men’s side and academy in June. The women’s program was excluded from the original takeover. TSG already owns English football side Queens Park Rangers (QPR) and MLS club Los Angeles FC. The omission placed the future of the 2025 A-League Women champions in doubt. It also prompted the APL to seek a sustainable solution ahead of the new campaign.

A new operating model

Under the new arrangement, HBG will oversee all operational aspects of the women’s team. This includes the football program, staffing and day-to-day management. TSG will retain the club licence and continue overseeing the men’s program and academy. It will also support the women’s operation through its broader football network.

The agreement represents an innovative partnership between the three organisations. It has been designed to strengthen the long-term sustainability of professional women’s football on the Central Coast. HBG’s plans extend beyond the senior team. They include a strong focus on developing participation pathways and creating greater opportunities for female footballers throughout New South Wales.

Attention turns to the new season

The transition comes at a crucial time with preparations for the 2026/27 Ninja A-League Women season underway ahead of its October 16 start. The new operators are expected to begin managing the program immediately. This remains subject to the completion of the remaining regulatory processes. The team currently has no sponsors and games are expected to be moved away from Central Coast Stadium.

The A-League had previously set a July 31 deadline for new owners to be found to secure a place in the upcoming competition. With that now achieved, HBG will be on the clock to ensure the season begins without disruption and becomes a commercial success.

For the Central Coast Mariners Women, the agreement delivers certainty after a turbulent off-season. It also allows the club to shift its attention to the 2026/27 campaign and the team’s on-field performance.

South Melbourne’s Australia Cup triumph reignites promotion and relegation debate

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Image Credit: The Greek Herald

South Melbourne FC’s dramatic 2-1 victory over Adelaide United in the Hahn Australia Cup Round of 32 has reignited debate around promotion and relegation in Australian football, with Co-President Bill Papastergiadis stating the result is further proof that ambitious National Premier Leagues clubs deserve a pathway to the top tier.

The Victorian powerhouse produced one of the competition’s biggest upsets at Lakeside Stadium, overturning an early deficit to eliminate the Isuzu UTE A-League side and secure a place in the Round of 16.

While the result was celebrated as another example of the magic of the Australia Cup, Papastergiadis believes the victory carries a much broader message about the strength that exists outside Australia’s professional league.

Speaking following the win, Papastergiadis said South Melbourne’s performance demonstrated why the Australian football landscape should move towards a connected pyramid featuring promotion and relegation.

“The result was South Melbourne FC’s revenge 22 years in the making,” Papastergiadis said.

“It also demonstrates that clubs in the National Premier Leagues have the quality, professionalism and ambition to compete with A-League opposition when given the opportunity.”

For years, South Melbourne has been one of the strongest advocates for structural reform within Australian football, consistently calling for an open pyramid that rewards sporting merit rather than maintaining a closed league system.

Papastergiadis argued that Australia Cup fixtures continue to showcase the depth of talent throughout the domestic game, with NPL clubs regularly proving they can challenge and defeat professional opponents despite operating with significantly fewer resources.

He believes these performances should not simply be viewed as isolated “cupsets”, but as evidence that Australia’s football ecosystem is ready to embrace a promotion and relegation model that provides ambitious clubs with a genuine pathway to the top flight.

The result against Adelaide United adds another significant chapter to South Melbourne’s storied history. One of Australia’s most successful clubs, South Melbourne has long maintained aspirations of returning to the national stage, backed by a passionate supporter base, strong infrastructure and a proud footballing tradition.

For Papastergiadis, victories such as Thursday night’s reinforce the argument that clubs should earn opportunities through performances on the pitch.

“The Australia Cup continues to show what’s possible when clubs from different levels of the football pyramid compete against one another,” he said.

“Our football should be built on opportunity and merit. Clubs that perform consistently and invest in their communities should have the chance to progress to the highest level.”

South Melbourne will now turn its attention to the Round of 16, where it will look to continue its impressive cup run.

Beyond the result itself, however, the victory has once again fuelled discussion around the future of Australia’s football structure and whether the growing strength of clubs outside the A-League should accelerate the push towards a fully connected national competition.

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