Colchester United PFA Community Champion has been awarded to U’s defender Fiacre Kelleher for his work with the Community during the 2023/24 season. Fiacre has visited different Community Foundation projects and supported community engagement on a matchday at the JobServe Community Stadium.
Alongside his teammates, U’s players have visited Community Foundation projects with a total of 109 engagements over the course of the season, putting lots of smiles on lots of faces in that period.
Fiacre shared; “I am delighted to be awarded our PFA community champion for this season. It has personally been a very difficult season for me having to deal with multiple injuries, but I have found great happiness in getting out amongst the community. I have gotten great enjoyment out of visiting schools and attending the holiday camps. We have an incredible Community Foundation and I look forward to getting to work more with them next season.”
U’s players from the first team to the U18’s have visited community projects within the Health & Inclusion, Participation and Education departments throughout the season.
Highlights have included Owen Goodman and Tom Hopper visit to the Premier League Kicks project at Clacton Leisure Centre back in September, to Manny Egbo & Brad Ihionvein’s visit to the Senior U’s Xmas party at the JobServe Community Stadium in December, to Riley Harbottle & Harry Anderson’s visit to our U6-U8 Development Centre in February, to Zach Mitchell’s visit to our weekly Refugee Football session in March and Matt Jay’s visit to Cann Hall Primary School recently in April.
Rick Goldsbrough, Chief Operating Officer @ Colchester United Community Foundation shared; “The support of the players and staff here at Colchester United is valuable in allowing us to enrich further the experiences of participants and people within the communities we serve. The connection these experiences create are priceless to the club, the players and the community and only bring about positivity and enjoyment for all. We’re very grateful to all the players and staff at the club for the support of the Community Foundation and we’re excited to continue and enhance our engagement further for the 2024/25 season ahead.”
The U’s player engagement is supported by the Professional Football’s Association (PFA) who support players at clubs all over the country in engaging with fans and their communities - https://www.thepfa.com/players/community
