MPs pay tribute to fans for community work done during pandemic

This week MPs acknowledged the work that football fans and supporter groups had done in their communities during the COVID-19 public health crisis.

An Early Day Motion brought to the House of Commons by Labour MP for Liverpool West Derby, Ian Byrne MP, praises supporters for their actions since lockdown began earlier this year, despite no football being played until June.

The EDM says: “This House pays tribute to the invaluable role played by football fans in supporting communities, frontline workers and protecting the most vulnerable people in the COVID-19 crisis.”

Byrne’s motion goes on to highlight the impact the Fans Supporting Foodbanks coalition has had, delivering more than 100 tonnes of food to families in need up and down the country during the crisis. Supporter networks, along with clubs and local community organisations, have also been praised for distributing more than 100,000 items of PPE (personal protective equipment) during the pandemic.

Ian has a longstanding interest in the supporters’ movement and is a former National Council member of the Football Supporters’ Federation, who merged with Supporters Direct to become the FSA in 2019. He is also a member of Liverpool’s Spirit of Shankly fan group.

“The House has seen the true face of the football supporter,” Ian’s motion reads. “And thanks all for the solidarity shown across these islands by supporters to their communities in the fight against COVID-19.”

Thank you for this @IanByrneMP. The kindness, generosity and solidarity football fans have shown in our communities through all this has been staggering. https://t.co/gKFZoN85I5

— MCFC Fans Foodbank Support (@MCFCfoodbank) July 15, 2020

So far 20 MPs from across the House have signed the motion – from the Labour Party, independents, Scottish National Party and Democratic Unionist Party.