EFL in the Community

What EFL in the Community does

EFL in the Community (legal name: Football League Community Ltd) is a registered UK charity (Charity No 1132689) established in 2008 as the charitable arm of the English Football League. It coordinates a federated network of 72 EFL club community trusts that deliver health, education, employability, and community cohesion programmes across England (and increasingly Wales). The organisation serves a broad demographic — children, young people, women and girls, adults with health conditions, older adults, people with disabilities, the unemployed and NEETs, refugees, and broader local communities — and reports engaging more than one million people per season and generating over £1 billion in social value. Its core technology is non-existent; the product is a programme portfolio (Healthier Communities, Stronger Communities, Education & Employability, Kellogg's Football Camps, Connects FC) delivered through local club staff and facilities.

The organisation does not charge participants for services. Its revenue model is a multi-stream charity funding structure: long-term National Lottery funding from Sport England as a strategic system partner, corporate sponsorship from Ferrero (Kinder+Sport), Utilita, Kellogg's, FBT, and Network Rail, and government contracts from DWP, NHS, and local public health departments. Delivery is executed through 72 club community trusts operating as the primary distribution channel, supplemented by school networks, community venues, and football club stadiums. The go-to-market motion is community-led and event-driven, with touchpoints such as the Utilita Kids Cup, Walking Football tournaments, and National Citizen Service programmes converting participants into longer-term programme users.

Governance is led by a Board of Trustees chaired by Liam Scully, with EFL Chief Executive Trevor Birch and Director of Community Debbie Cook. The Board includes representatives from the Premier League (Nick Perchard), The FA (Phil Woodward), the PFA (Lauren Sullivan), and independent trustees, creating institutional alignment across English football governance. The strategic frame is the 2024-2029 Strategy and alignment with Sport England's "Uniting the Movement" agenda. There are no funding rounds, no acquisitions, no subsidiaries, and no disclosed commercial revenue; the entity operates as a non-profit with central headcount of 48 employees.

Name

EFL in the Community

Legal name

Football League Community (Ltd)

Website

https://eflinthecommunity.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

EFL in the Community is the registered UK charity (Football League Community Ltd) that coordinates 72 EFL club community trusts delivering sport-based health, education, employability, and community cohesion programmes across England, engaging over one million people per season.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Sports Charity

NAICS

Sports Teams and Clubs (711211), Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYMPAKAFAF

Amateur & Grassroots Sport Associations (Community/Youth Governing Orgs)

Media, Entertainment & Sports/Sports (Leagues, Teams, Events, Venues)/Sports Rights Holders & Governing Bodies (Federations, Associations, Sanctioning Bodies)

SECONDARYMPAKAAAA

Association Football (Soccer) Leagues

Media, Entertainment & Sports/Sports (Leagues, Teams, Events, Venues)/Professional Sports Leagues (Domestic & International)

SECONDARYMPAKAKAK

Sports Fundraising & Development Services (Foundations, NIL Collectives Support)

Media, Entertainment & Sports/Sports (Leagues, Teams, Events, Venues)/Sports Management & Promotion Services

SECONDARYMPAKACAE

Local Amateur Clubs & Community Sports Organizations

Media, Entertainment & Sports/Sports (Leagues, Teams, Events, Venues)/Collegiate & Amateur Sports Organizations (NCAA, Federations, Clubs)

Keywords

• Community sport programs
• Football club charities
• Health wellbeing initiatives
• Youth education services
• Employability training

Headquarters

HQ city

Preston

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. National Lottery Funding via Sport England: EFL in the Community receives long-term National Lottery funding from Sport England as a strategic system partner. This funding supports the organization's commitment to influence positive change across the EFL club network, aligned with Sport England's 'Uniting the Movement' strategy.
2. Corporate Sponsorship and Partnerships: The organization generates revenue through partnerships with commercial sponsors including Ferrero (Kinder+Sport), FBT (kit sponsor), Utilita, Kellogg's (Football Camps), and other corporate partners who fund specific programmes and initiatives.
3. Government Contracts and Grants: Additional funding is received through government departments such as DWP for employment programmes, Sport England for health initiatives, and local government public health departments. Example: Coventry City received Sport England and council funding for the 'In It Together' female health programme.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

EFL in the Community is a registered charity and the charitable arm of the English Football League (EFL) that coordinates a network of 72 EFL club community trusts to deliver free community programmes across health and wellbeing, education, employability, and community engagement. The organization leverages the reach and brand power of EFL football clubs—covering more than 49 million people within 15 miles of a club—to engage hard-to-reach groups and deliver initiatives such as FIT FANS, Walking Football, NCS programmes, and skills training.

Product overview

EFL in the Community operates as a network of community programs delivered through EFL (English Football League) club charities. The organization offers a multi-faceted portfolio organized into four main program areas: Healthier Communities (including Start Well, Live Well, Age Well, Extra Time Hubs, Joy of Moving, and FIT FANS), Stronger Communities (Women's and Girls' Football, Utilita Kids Cup, Utilita Girls Cup, Smart Energy GB), Education & Employability (Post 16 Education, Higher Education courses, Match Fit, Changing Room, Training Ground), plus Kellogg's Football Camps and Connects FC. The organization serves as a strategic system partner of Sport England and utilizes National Lottery funding to deliver community initiatives reaching over one million people each season with social value exceeding one billion pounds.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Healthier Communities
• Stronger Communities
• Education & Employability
• Kellogg's Football Camps
• Connects FC

Quantifiable outcome

• Over £1 billion social value generated through community programmes
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered strategic, supporting and core.

• Royal Society for Public HealthstrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 October 2025New pilot partnership announced to improve community health and wellbeing. The collaboration will pilot innovative approaches to public health intervention using the reach of EFL club communities.
• We Are UndefeatablesupportingGTM or Marketing Partner · 15 August 2025Partnership to inspire and support people living with long-term health conditions to become more active. Both organizations are Sport England system partners united by a shared mission to increase physical activity among those who need it most.
• FBTsupportingGTM or Marketing Partner · 14 August 2015FBT became the official kit sponsor of the Football League Trust (EFL in the Community). The two-year deal provided kit for numerous Community Trusts at Football League clubs. FBT is a leading sports brand based in Thailand.
• Sport EnglandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEFL in the Community is a strategic system partner of Sport England and receives long-term National Lottery funding. The partnership is aligned with Sport England's 'Uniting the Movement' strategy to help people across EFL communities move more and enjoy the benefits of an active lifestyle. This is a flagship long-term partnership supporting the organization's core mission.
• The Premier LeaguecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partnership supporting the delivery of community programmes. Nick Perchard, Director of Community at The Premier League, serves on the EFL in the Community Board, representing the Premier League's community strategy interests. The partnership focuses on using the inspiration of professional clubs to help young people realise their potential and support communities.
• The FAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Football Association partners with EFL in the Community on grassroots football development initiatives. Phil Woodward, Head of Clubs and Facilities at The FA, serves on the Board. The FA works with the network on facilities investment and grassroots club development through the Football Foundation.
• Professional Footballers' Association (PFA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe PFA, trade union for professional footballers, partners with EFL in the Community. Lauren Sullivan, Director of Community at PFA, serves on the Board. PFA invests over £12 million into the network of football club charities each season, supporting player engagement in community projects.
• Ferrero (Kinder+Sport)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerFerrero sponsors the Kinder+Sport initiative, a global CSR project designed to increase physical activity among young generations. Partnership includes Kids Cup, Girls Cup, Move and Learn Project, and Futsal Cup. Ferrero provides significant funding and brand support for these youth engagement programmes.
• Kellogg'ssupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsorship of Kellogg's Football Camps, school holiday programmes offering football activities for children. Partnership provides funding for delivery and brand association.
• UtilitasupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of Utilita Kids Cup and Utilita Girls Cup, national football tournaments for junior footballers. Partnership supports grassroots football participation.
• Network RailsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerRail safety education partnership using the power of football to educate young people about potential dangers on railway lines. Community trusts at 10 Football League clubs identified as being in high-need areas deliver the programme. The partnership won two Network Rail Partnership Awards.
• Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)supportingGTM or Marketing PartnerDWP partnered with Fulham Football Club Foundation to tackle unemployment, contributing £30,000 from the Flexible Support Fund to help long-term unemployed and NEETs build employability skills. The partnership supported the Fulham Work Hub employability programme.
• National Health Service (NHS) / Public HealthsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnerships with NHS and public health bodies at local level. Example: Coventry City Council's Public Health Department contributed £38,000 to the 'In It Together' female health project alongside Sport England funding.
• SubstancesupportingTechnology or IntegrationResearch partnership with Substance to develop impact measurement methodology. Substance helped develop the 'Measuring the Impact of Clubs in the Community' reports that place social value figures on the work of the club network.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights10 records

Direct peers

• Chelsea Foundation: Direct peer - operates Chelsea FC's community arm delivering education, employability, health, and inclusion programmes in London and beyond. Same football-as-platform-for-social-impact model, same beneficiary cohorts, and competes for the same corporate partnerships.
• National League Trust: Direct peer - the charitable umbrella for National League (Step 1-6) clubs below the EFL. Operates an analogous club-charity network model but at lower geographic and demographic reach, sharing the same community-sport-for-social-impact proposition and competing for Sport England and government funding.
• Premier League Charitable Fund: Direct peer - the charitable arm of the Premier League delivering community programmes through Premier League clubs. Operates a near-identical federated model across a higher-tier league, with overlapping funding partners (Sport England) and competing for the same corporate sponsors and government grants.
• Manchester United Foundation: Direct peer - a Premier League club foundation delivering health, education, and employability programmes through football. Same programme taxonomy (sport-for-development), similar beneficiary segments, and direct overlap on funding sources including Sport England and corporate partners.

Emerging players

• StreetGames: Emerging player - a national charity delivering sport in disadvantaged communities using a 'doorstep sport' model. Overlaps with EFL in the Community on target demographics (NEETs, disadvantaged youth) and shares Sport England funding, but operates without the football-club distribution backbone.
• Chance to Shine: Emerging player - a sport-for-development charity using cricket (not football) to engage young people in schools and communities. Comparable sport-as-engagement-platform model, similar school-and-community distribution, and competes for the same Sport England and corporate funding pots.
• Youth Sport Trust: Emerging player - a children's sport and education charity focused on PE, school sport, and physical literacy. Overlaps on the education and youth-sport funding stream, and competes for the same Department for Education and Sport England grants that EFL in the Community accesses.
• Access Sport: Emerging player - a UK charity using sport to tackle disadvantage, with a focus on disability inclusion and community sport. Overlaps directly with EFL in the Community's Every Player Counts and disability football programmes, and competes for the same Sport England inclusion grants.

Broad incumbents

• The Football Association (The FA): Broad incumbent - English football's governing body and a board-represented strategic partner. The FA runs overlapping grassroots and community programmes through County FAs and the Football Foundation, and shares programme beneficiaries and corporate partners with EFL in the Community.
• Sport England: Broad incumbent - the strategic funder and policy authority for grassroots sport in England. EFL in the Community is a 'strategic system partner' of Sport England, and Sport England's funding allocations, 'Uniting the Movement' priorities, and system-partner model directly shape EFL in the Community's strategy, funding, and competitive positioning versus other system partners.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/EFL_Community
• Facebookfacebook.com/EFLCommunity
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/efl-in-the-community

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about EFL in the Community