Preston North End are joining forces with all 72 Football League Clubs in a united week of action to raise awareness and vital funds for Help for Heroes - The Football League's Official Charity Partner for the 2009/10 season.
Football for Heroes week takes place between March 6th and 14th allowing the whole of The Football League to show its support for the efforts of our Armed Forces.
PNE made last Tuesday's match against Doncaster Rovers as the fixture for the Club's Help For Heroes.
The Lilywhites had already shown their support for Help for Heroes earlier in the season by designating the game against Derby as an 'Armed Forces Day', inviting hundreds of local servicemen and women to the match, along with a local miltary band who entertianed the crowd before kick-off and at half-time.
At last Tuesday's fixture, the club helped to maximumise coverage and awareness of the charity which helps rehabilitate members of the British Armed Forces injured in the line of duty.
This included:
• A promotional photo shoot featuring manager Darren Ferguson and his assistant Kevin Russell
• The teams emerged from tunnel behind a Help for Heroes banner
• The respective captains and the match officials posed for a photo at kick-off with a Help for Heroes banner
• Darren Ferguson and Doncaster manager Sean O'Driscoll wore Help for Heroes wristbands for the duration of the game
• PNE's first team signed a Football League Help for Heroes ball which will then be auctioned off for the charity
For the duration of the 2009/10 season, Help for Heroes is the official charity partner of The Football League and tens of thousands of pounds have already been raised through the generosity of fans across England and Wales.
With a relationship dating back over a century Football for Heroes Week is just the latest chapter in a long history between the beautiful game and the armed forces. Since World War One, football has been a crucial tool, serving originally as a vehicle for recruitment as the public followed their heroes into signing up for King and Country.
During the Second World War, Preston North End's Sir Tom Finney, Wolverhampton Wanderers' Billy Wright and Middlesbrough's Wilf Mannion were just some of the icons that answered the call. More recently, ex-Lincoln City striker, Phil Stant switched to football from the Army after having served in the Falklands.
Today, football flags fly proudly at bases and from tanks on far-away battlefields and The Football League's recent visit to the defence rehabilitation centre, Headley Court with the Carling Cup made it clear that the game is still an integral cog in the military machine.
And building on the incredible support already shown by countless League clubs across the country, Football for Heroes week sets out to be an extended, united demonstration of that intrinsic bond.
If fans would like to make an online donation to the charity they can by visiting https://www.bmycharity.com/V2/footballleague.
