Southport supporters are being given the chance to watch the Yellows for free as a thank you for the over £12.5 million of National Lottery funding which helped community clubs survive when the Covid pandemic struck and football at this level effectively shut down.
The National Lottery Football Weekends campaign will make over 100,000 tickets available on a ‘Buy One Get One Free’ basis for National Lottery players for selected matches in March and April. It aims to get people out to watch and really get behind their local team, perhaps for the first time, and experience the vital role these clubs play as part of their local community.
Southport’s National League North fixture against Kettering on 2nd April will be part of this offer.
Thanks to National Lottery players, during the height of the Covid crisis a total support package of over £12.5 million from The National Lottery was made available and proved vital for many local clubs across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, including Southport to survive the loss of essential matchday revenue as football shut down.
The campaign will be delivered in partnership with the Vanarama National League, The FA (Football Association), The Scottish FA (Scottish Football Association), FAW (Football Association of Wales) and NIFA (Northern Ireland Football Association) and is also backed by well-known ex-footballers Ally McCoist and Karen Carney.
Ian Kyle Chair of Southport said, “It was a difficult time for so many during the pandemic and it felt like our club had a bleak future at times. To have National Lottery players step in and help us survive through to getting fans back through the gates was amazing. This is a great way to celebrate that support – the importance of clubs like ours and to give people the chance to sample the unique experience of football at this level. We can’t wait to welcome people to our ground.”
Each club will be responsible for distributing tickets for its home match and details on how to claim will be available in due course at southportfc.net