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Home , Kieran Gibbs, Mohamed Elneny, Mohamed Salah, Ramadan Sobhi, Reiss Nelson, Shay Given

1 The 2017/18 season Highlights of the extensive work has been one to remember. carried out off the pitch included Manchester City manager Pep clubs using their popularity and reach Guardiola deserves huge credit for to take community and education creating a team which won more programmes to new levels. Through Welcome matches, scored more goals and Premier League Primary Stars, we earned more points than any other are working in 15,000 schools across to our Season 2017/18 highlights and inspiring stories from across since the League began. Their skill and England and Wales, and more than incisiveness were a joy to watch. 25,000 children were inspired to the Premier League. Another exciting season has contained plenty We say goodbye to Arsène Wenger submit a poem for our Writing Stars of memorable moments and our clubs and partners have again following 22 brilliant years at Arsenal. competition. His innovative coaching and It is encouraging to see more and produced incredible work to bring the fans and their football clubs player-development methods more females getting involved in the even closer together. It has been record-breaking and remarkable, transformed the English game. He has game, thanks in part to the Premier made a huge contribution to Arsenal League Girls Football programme and we are proud to say, ‘This is Premier League’. and to the Premier League. which our clubs are promoting in their The three promoted clubs – Brighton communities. & Hove Albion, Huddersfield Town and We continued our work with Kick Newcastle United – deserve credit for It Out to provide opportunities for securing another season of Premier the BAME (black, Asian and minority League football. Burnley, led by Sean ethnic) community and our wide- Dyche, are also worthy of praise for scale backing for Stonewall’s Rainbow qualifying to play in Europe for the first Laces campaign, which supports LGBT time in 51 years. equality in sport. We have all enjoyed watching One thing is clear: our competition is Liverpool’s exciting football, highlighted compelling and open to everyone. by the incredible goalscoring feats of , and are proud Richard Scudamore Go to premierleague.com/This-is-PL to to have seen them make the UEFA Executive Chairman, read more and watch our exclusive videos Champions League Final. Premier League

The Football The Fans The Communities The Premier League

This is exciting football 04-05 This is for everyone 12-13 This is a force for good 22-23 This is Premier League 30-31 Competitive and compelling 06-07 Full and vibrant stadiums 14-15 Inspiring a generation 24-25 Economic impact 32-33 Premier League season awards 08-09 Entertaining audiences 16-17 Sporting opportunities 26-27 Final standings 34-35 Rising stars 10-11 Global appeal 18-19 Making a difference 28-29 Open and inclusive 20-21

2 3 The Football

“This is the Premier League. England is so special, it’s so tough. You win, you lose, but always you have to try to do what you believe. Going back-to-back will be tough but we accept the challenge.” Pep Guardiola Manager, This is Manchester City FC exciting football

With performance levels rising on the pitch season after season, the Premier League and its clubs are committed to producing world-leading players and coaches.

Go to premierleague.com/This-is-PL to read more and watch our exclusive videos

4 The Football

Farewell Arsène Season 2017/18 was the 22nd and final one for Arsène Wenger’s reign at Arsenal. The Frenchman Competitive will forever be remembered for leading his “Invincibles” side to an unprecedented unbeaten League campaign in 2003/04. His incredible managerial career includes having and compelling taken charge of a record 828 Premier League matches. Wenger’s innovative training This season saw fascinating football across the League, with records methods and the style of football broken, exciting matches, a competitive battle to avoid relegation he introduced to England were remembered fondly by his former and goals galore. player, . On the up Sean Dyche and Burnley had a fantastic season, which saw them secure a seventh-place finish. They started the season with a 3-2 win A season like no other over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge and Manchester City’s incredible their total of 54 points was enough performance to claim their third to secure European football at Turf Premier League title rightly attracted Moor for the first time in 51 years. plaudits from far and wide. Their record points total, of matches won and goals scored demonstrate “For this football club their consistent excellence across the to get to the status season. The likes of , David of being in European Silva and lit up the competition is competition with their talent and skill. For only the third time in the Premier remarkable. The big League era, all three promoted clubs marker for me was – Brighton & Hove Albion, Huddersfield Town and Newcastle United – can we get better “The biggest maintained their League status. than last year, but to compliment I always jump from 40 points 5 had when I used to to 54 is a big shift, Burnley lost just five away matches play for Arsenal was and with some of the during 2017/18 – a record only bettered people telling me, results we’ve had by champions ‘We like the way you Manchester City 48 & 49 along the way, has play.’ That speaks Brighton & Hove Albion and been fantastic.” Huddersfield Town became the 48th volumes to the vision and 49th clubs to join the Premier Sean Dyche the man had and League since its inception in 1992 Burnley manager 121 Aggregated league what he did to the points achieved by the club.” promoted clubs Go to premierleague.com/ Thierry Henry This-is-PL to read more and Former Arsenal striker watch our exclusive videos

6 7 The Football

Goal of the Season Premier League Sofiane Boufal v West Bromwich Albion season awards Sofiane Boufal’s superb solo effort for Southampton against West Bromwich Season 2017/18 saw impressive landmarks reached by players Albion on 21 October won the Carling of the Season award. Boufal and managers. The Premier League Playmaker award was also beat five challenges and completed a introduced, recognising the player with the most assists over the 60-yard run with a fine finish. campaign. Player of the Season 100 Golden Boot Manchester City became the first Mohamed Salah Premier League club to earn 100 points and now hold the record for Mohamed Salah most wins (32), most goals (106) and best goal difference (+79). Golden Boot winner Mohamed Salah beat the Premier League record for goals in a 38-match season, scoring 32 to surpass the previous best of 31 jointly held by Alan 39 broke ’s 22- Shearer, and Luis Suarez. year record for most Premier League The Egyptian also added the Premier goals in a calendar year (2017). Kane League EA Sports Player of the Season also became the second-fastest award to his PFA and FWA honours. player to reach 100 Premier League goals, doing so in 141 appearances. Only Shearer has achieved the feat Premier League in fewer matches. Playmaker award 200 became only the Kevin De Bruyne second player to reach 200 Premier Kevin De Bruyne made his 16th Premier League goals. He finished the season League assist of the season in stoppage Manager of with 208. time of Manchester City’s final match, as he teed up Gabriel Jesus for the winner against the Season PL2 Player of Southampton, pipping team-mate Leroy 653 Sané to this inaugural award. set a new benchmark Pep the Season for all-time appearances in the Golden Glove Guardiola Premier League. Pep Guardiola won the Barclays Arsenal’s Reiss Nelson was named Manager of the Season award Premier League 2 Player of the 1,000 Manchester United’s David De Gea after leading his Manchester City Season, having played a key role in The six ever-present Premier League clubs - Arsenal, Chelsea, Everton, was awarded the Golden Glove for side to an incredible title triumph. his side’s PL2 Division 1 title win. The Liverpool, Manchester United and an impressive 18 clean sheets this His peers at the League Managers 18-year-old also broke into Tottenham Hotspur - played their season, the first time he has won the Association also awarded him their the Arsenal first team, making three 1,000th match on the final day of the accolade. Manager of the Season accolade. Premier League appearances. season.

8 9 The Football Rising stars

The second Premier League 2 season featured some exciting football and is the perfect stage for Under-23 players to showcase their talents, while we also continued our commitment to providing clear pathways for coach development.

Meet Hamza Leicester City's Hamza Choudhury Choudhury finished the will never forget Season 2017/18 after campaign with nine senior Meet Nia his impressive performances while appearances under his belt and Swansea City Academy coach Nia The two-year ECAS course places captaining the club’s Premier League believes Premier League 2 offers 43 Davies has already achieved a great great emphasis on giving participants 2 side to a third-place finish, narrowly a great platform for home-grown deal in her professional life, and is an idea of how different organisations home-grown player missing out on the title to Arsenal in the players looking to make the next currently undertaking the Premier are structured. Nia believes this has debuts in Season Nia Davies has been given final match round. It led to him making step in their career. 2017/18 new coaching opportunities League’s Elite Coach Apprenticeship been of huge benefit. his mark in the first team. “For a lot of the lads it’s been a thanks to ECAS Scheme with a view to graduating “We went on visits to Sky Sports, The 20-year-old midfielder has massive learning curve and helped at the end of 2018. Through her Manchester Velodrome, the SAS been with the Leicester City Academy us grow as people, and football- Leicester City's Hamza participation on the course, she in the Brecon Beacons and on an since the age of seven and his wise we’ve become a lot better and Choudhury is full of praise has developed a range of skills that international trip to Holland," she dreams came true when he was stronger,” he said. for Premier League 2 she feels can benefit her and the explains. "You can learn so much from awarded his Premier League debut youngsters she works with. different sports and organisations, as a substitute in Leicester City's 2-1 Nia, 28, is in her fourth season with and that’s a massive part of the ECAS win over Tottenham Hotspur at the the Swans, where she works primarily philosophy. King Power Stadium. with the club’s Under-10s boys team. “I also spent four really interesting “Running out into the King Power, She was given the opportunity to days with the Lawn Tennis Association, it was quite emotional, to be honest, join ECAS as a result of the Premier which was really helpful because you especially to have my family watching "The ECAS League’s Black and Minority Ethnic can take elements of what they do and me,” he says. “I really enjoyed it and (BAME) and Female Coach initiative. apply it to the football world. The course as soon as I came off the pitch, I had course was The programme launched in has been so beneficial to my coaching.” the biggest smile on my face and I great and 2015 and provides opportunities Nia also thinks the Premier couldn’t get rid of it for the rest of the it’s definitely and funding for coaches at Premier League’s commitment to giving more night. helped my League clubs and Category 1, 2 and 3 opportunities to BAME and female “When I joined I dreamed of making Academies, while making the coaching coaches is a major step forward. it to first-team football and playing confidence landscape in this country more “It’s excellent,” she enthuses. “I in front of thousands, especially with in and out reflective of our diverse society. was lucky to have a full-time role being from around Leicester.” of a work “The ECAS course was great and with Swansea before I went on environment." it’s definitely helped my confidence in ECAS, but I know other women and out of a work environment,” says who have got a full-time job as a result Nia Davies Nia. “It’s taught me a lot about building of going on the course. If you have Swansea City relationships and forming a system to variety in your coaching staff you cater Academy Coach help players develop.” for all the kids in a different way.”

10 11 The Fans

“Our fantastic fans are proud and vocal in their support of the club. Their dedication is what drives us to improve in everything we do.” Rafael Benítez Manager, This is for Newcastle United FC everyone

We are committed to being an open and inclusive competition which supports fans both locally and globally.

12 13 The Fans

Price of football study A Premier League analysis of the cost of attending matches in Season 2017/18 revealed: £32 average ticket price in the Premier League 54% of all tickets cost £30 or less £10m total saved by season-ticket holders across the campaign through discounts offered by clubs Full and vibrant £26 average away ticket price, with the £30 cap Season 2017/18 witnessed full stadiums, captivating action on away tickets maintained for a second stadiums and enthralled fans season The passionate support of fans is vital to the competition as people Welcoming venues Stoke City have demonstrated how travel home and away to back their teams and share the excitement. Premier League clubs go to great lengths to continually improve their Meet Jeremy stadiums for all fans. Jeremy King has been a devoted and to beat them at home was superb. The Potters not only increased Huddersfield Town fan since February “The ground was rocking that day the capacity at the bet365 Stadium 1979, but nothing could have prepared and the John Smith's Stadium was to more than 30,000 by filling in the him for the pleasure of watching his great all season.” corners to provide an additional 1,800 side in the Premier League. seats, they also modified access to the In 2017/18, average Jeremy lives in Stowmarket, Suffolk, stadium for wheelchair users. attendance across the but happily takes a four-hour drive “We consulted with wheelchair- Premier League was: back to West Yorkshire to watch using fans about what we could do to the Terriers; he also saw all 19 of improve their matchday experience Huddersfield's away matches last and really took their opinions on 38,495 season. board,” explains Rob Killingworth, 's men had many Stoke City's Health and Safety a Premier League moments to cherish in their debut Manager and Access Officer. record Premier League campaign, and the “One fan told me he'd never seen a thrill of watching Huddersfield Town in corner in 10 years because fans would crowds and also enhanced their the top flight is something Jeremy looks stand up in front of him. As a result, changing rooms and toilets for all In Season 2017/18 back on with delight. we raised the viewing platforms in disabled fans. stadiums were "Playing in the Premier League week 17 of our mid-tier wheelchair bays, “It's been so beneficial,” Rob adds. in and week out is fantastic," he explains. introduced two high-level bays and “The feedback we've had has been "I travelled all over the country three bays at pitch level so wheelchair great. Existing fans say it has made 96% watching Huddersfield and the users get a far better experience.” the stadium a lot easier to visit and atmosphere was fantastic. Clubs like Huddersfield Town fan Jeremy King , below, In addition to these changes, we're also attracting new disabled full Manchester United are iconic – as are loved watching his side in action at the Stoke introduced an “Access Room” supporters as well, so it's opened up many teams in the Premier League – John Smith's Stadium for fans who struggle with loud, large some fantastic avenues for everybody.”

14 15 The Fans

“I’ve enjoyed watching Manchester City throughout another exciting Premier League season. Their quantity and quality of goals has Entertaining been unbelievable. Pep Guardiola has created a team who are a joy to watch.” audiences In the UK, average live viewing is up five per cent season on season as our broadcast partners bring compelling football and expert analysis to This season’s passionate fans, who enjoyed another season of drama and excitement. Manchester derby saw a record The Premier League is the most- watched football league in the world and our broadcast partners enable 28 millions of fans to get closer to international Premier 90 minutes of unpredictable action. League broadcast The Premier League draws the partner crews in attendance at the highest global television audience of Etihad Stadium any football league and has the most live coverage of all European leagues.

“We kicked off the 3.24m season with Arsenal The peak audience beating Leicester 4-3 in the UK for the live on Friday Night Manchester derby Football. It was a great start to a landmark “The Premier League never season which went to fails to entertain. For the very last kick of the example, who would have campaign.” thought that when Mo Gary Neville Salah netted in Liverpool’s first game of the season against Watford that he would end the campaign In the UK, Season breaking my goal-scoring 2017/18 saw nine audiences in excess of record and running away with the Golden Boot?” 2m Alan Shearer viewers

16 17 The Fans

“The thirst for Premier League football in India is Global appeal incredible. Thousands of fans came from all The Premier League is proud to have so many passionate over the country to fans around the world. The competition is available to watch watch the matches in one billion homes in 189 countries. together and it Premier League Live was an amazing India is home to millions of passionate and loyal Premier atmosphere.” Spotlight on League fans and last October Alan Shearer Season 2017/18 was a memorable Last season, 523,000 FPL Premier League Live went to Premier League champion one for Liverpool's Mohamed Salah. managers in Egypt competed, with Bengaluru, bringing a Premier He brought to its feet, as he 81 per cent of those picking Salah League experience to more than won the Golden Boot with a record- for their side. 20,000 fans. breaking 32 goals. He also prompted “I’m trying to improve all the time Supporters travelled from near League has come here,” said one an enormous boost in Premier because I want Egyptian people and far to watch matches live on a Arsenal fan who travelled more than League interest in his homeland, to follow my way,” Salah said, big screen and enjoy the chance to 600 miles from Mumbai to Bengaluru Egypt. when proudly discussing his fellow 81% interact with Premier League clubs. for the event. “There’s a lot of passion West Bromwich Albion’s Ahmed countrymen and women. 155m Legendary players including Alan when it comes to supporting the of Fantasy Premier Hegazi, at Stoke City Around the world, Fantasy Premier people follow the Shearer, Robert Pirès, Shay Given clubs out here and so to have an League managers in Premier League and Arsenal’s have League was played by 5.9million Egypt picked Salah for and were on hand to event like this and rub shoulders with in India also played their part in driving new people in 2017/18, a 31 per cent rise their side meet fans and share their football some of the stars we have seen on interest outside of the UK. on the previous season. stories. “It is very exciting the Premier television is fantastic for us.” This African influence has seen Egypt become the country with the second-highest number of Fantasy Premier League (FPL) players behind England. At the end of Season 2016/17 there were 201,000 Fantasy Premier League managers in Egypt. This has Premier League Asia Trophy more than doubled since Salah’s In July 2017, Hong Kong hosted the goalscoring heroics. eighth edition of the Premier League Asia Trophy. For the first time, fans in Asia were able to see four Premier League clubs compete for the trophy - Crystal Palace, Leicester City, Liverpool and West Bromwich Albion - and enjoy “I’m trying to the experience of what a live Premier improve all the time League match must be like. “You’ll Never Walk Alone” because I want reverberated around the ground Egyptian people to before kick-off bringing fans of follow my way.” all clubs to their feet, the support helping Jürgen Klopp’s side, who went Mohamed Salah on to lift the trophy, beating Leicester Liverpool FC City 2-1 in the final.

18 19 The Fans

The Premier League and our clubs continue to support Kick It Out to tackle racism and discrimination in all areas of the game. There has been ongoing education of players, staff and fans, including the Equality Inspires progamme at Academy level. Players and fans can also report all instances of discrimination thanks to a new app launched by Kick It Out.

Inspiring equality Open and inclusive Premier League clubs continue to work on new initiatives to help make The Premier League and its clubs are committed to ensuring all fans football inclusive and accessible to are welcome. This was seen with the announcement of our three-year all. Chelsea’s “Building Bridges” partnership with Stonewall. Working with clubs, we dedicated a match campaign is one example of how round to the Rainbow Laces campaign. clubs fight discrimination. A new addition to their work this season was their “Say No to Pride in football Antisemitism” programme. The Proud Lilywhites are flying the welcoming to the LGBT community It launched in January with a visit flag for the LGBT community – quite and the support we have been given from Holocaust survivor Harry Spiro literally. by the club has been vital in helping us BEM. “Spurs are a They work closely with Tottenham get established,” she said. Harry, 88, is one of 732 child Hotspur and their rainbow flag, “We have around 400 members survivors of the Holocaust who major Premier adorned with Spurs’ famous cockerel and 4,000 followers on and settled in the UK. He shared his League insignia, can be seen flying at every the engagement from people across inspirational story with Chelsea's football club home match and has caught the the globe has been amazing. We get players and staff. but it still feels attention of fans across the world. messages all the time saying, ‘We’ve “There is still a big job to do, but The Proud Lilywhites were set up seen your flag at the game,' which all football is a great influence with like a family in February 2014 to work with Spurs helps put the message across that youngsters and you have footballers and we have in making football matches more football in 2018 is a welcoming place supporting the message not to hate,” been made so accessible to their LGBT supporters. for the LGBT community. said Harry. Co-chair Chris Paouros says they “The best thing is, Spurs are a major Backed by Chelsea owner Roman welcome.” Chelsea’s “Say No to have been hugely helped by Spurs’ Premier League football club but it still Abramovich, the initiative aims to Antisemitism” campaign is Chris Paouros commitment to spreading the Pride in feels like a family and we have been educate players, fans and the wider part of their Building Bridges Co-chair, Football message. made so welcome. We are part of that community about antisemitism in inclusivity programme Proud Lilywhites “It is so important that football is family and that is fantastic.” football.

20 21 The Communities “When I was very young I was involved in all sorts of bad things, there was criminality, getting arrested. The drug addiction just brought all sorts of real bad situations to us. These Saints Foundation sessions have literally changed our lives around. We’ve got something positive we enjoy doing and without this I wouldn’t really like to think where we’d be." Laura Cook Saints4Sport participant

This is a force for good

Through football our clubs connect and inspire communities.

20 21 The Communities

West Bromwich Albion's Inspiring a Kieran Gibbs took part in the Super Movers campaign Time to move Super Movers is helping teachers Emma Burnell, Headteacher at to inspire children to become more the Oldbury-based school, has active through their school day. already noticed a positive difference generation The Premier League and BBC are following The Albion Foundation’s 60+ working together to enhance their delivery of Super Movers. free educational videos learning, and club community coaches "Super Movers has brought a whole available to download To find out more information on add Super Movers content to their new dimension to the creative buzz and use in classrooms Premier League Primary Stars, sessions to encourage children to get around the school. The staff and or at home visit www.plprimarystars.com moving in thousands of primary schools pupils value and adore the sessions, across the country. and we make sure there are plenty Ambition in the classroom West Bromwich Albion players of opportunities to do some Super Everton's Yannick Bolasie Premier League Primary Stars uses threw his support behind Kieran Gibbs and Sam Field, as Moves throughout the day. the appeal of the Premier League and the Premier League Writing well as CBBC presenter Karim “It’s absolutely fantastic. We professional football clubs to inspire Stars competition Zeroual, surprised pupils at Tividale do a lot of work with The Albion children to learn, be active and develop Community Primary School to launch Foundation and to work with the For more information visit important life skills. Super Movers in January. charity on this is amazing for us.” www.bbc.co.uk/supermovers Our most ambitious community programme to date, it has engaged more than 15,000 schools in its first year. Meet Junior Writing Stars Junior Rene's life has been turned More than 25,000 primary school around thanks to his involvement in children were inspired to write a poem Premier League Kicks, which uses the for Premier League Writing Stars. This power of football to help young people national poetry competition asked in high-need areas. children to write about resilience, with The University of Manchester’s two national winners and 20 regional Wythenshawe site hosted this year’s winners announced in March 2018. Premier League Kicks Cup, the One of the Writing Stars largest one-day community football competition judges was Everton tournament run by the Premier League. midfielder Yannick Bolasie, who used 101 69 The annual tournament brings I wouldn't be doing good things. I’d be his skills as a lyricist to help select the together players from 69 Premier playing football but not as well as with winners. Premier League and Premier League and League and professional football clubs, the coaching at Kicks. I don’t think I’d professional football professional football “It is so important to keep young clubs deliver Premier clubs run Premier with teams competing in the Under-16 be in a good place right now. children motivated and engaged with The 10 year-old said: “I’m shocked League Primary Stars League Kicks sessions mixed or Under-16 girls’ competitions. “Premier League Kicks means the learning,” he said. "Premier League and speechless, I was not expecting to West Ham United ran out winners world.” Writing Stars not only underlines the win. I thought that some other kid was of the mixed competition, with Junior Since 2006, more than 257,000 importance of resilience in life but also going to write another poem that was named the player of the tournament. young people have participated in shows that poetry can be fun and can going to be judged better than mine. “It helps if you go there, play football, a variety of Kicks activities, including take many forms, including song lyrics I’m really happy.” have fun and learn different things,” he football, coaching, music, volunteering and raps.” The national and regional winners' 15,442 257,523 explains. “The coaches have pushed and personal-development Sadie from The Hermitage School in poems, as well as some written by Primary schools young people have me. When I’ve been down they’ve said, sessions, covering topics from career Woking was the Key Stage 2 national former footballers and friends of the engaged in Premier engaged in Premier ‘Junior, you can do it’. They’ve believed development to workshops on the winner. Her poem described her Premier League, were published in League Primary Stars League Kicks to date in me. dangers of joining gangs or carrying mother’s battle with cancer. April in a book titled ‘Try, Try Again’. “I think life would be hard without it. weapons.

24 25 Ruairi Coyne has learned The Communities valuable new life skills as part of a three-year Premier League initiative with BT

Meet Ruairi The Premier League & BT Disability Sporting programme is a three-year initiative which enables Premier League clubs to inspire disabled people through sport. Over the past two years, more than 21,000 people have participated opportunities in club-run sessions including Crystal Palace DS Eagles player Ruairi Coyne. “He looks forward to the session Ruairi loves nothing more than every week. He loves meeting up with The appeal and success of the Premier League allows us to connect playing football, and the 10-year- his friends and, by being sociable, it's with communities and fund new facilities and programmes that unite old, who has Down's Syndrome, has put him in a situation where he has been given the opportunity to fulfil his had to develop his speaking skills.” and inspire. dreams thanks to the work of Crystal The sessions Ruairi attends are Palace and a scheme supported by the supported by the Premier League 21,427 Premier League & BT Disability Fund. & BT Disability programme which people have “Ruairi engaged in occasional sees 25 clubs committed to helping participated in Premier football sessions at school and at the remove barriers and provide more League & BT Disability programme sessions weekend we would play in the park,” opportunities for disabled people to since launch in 2016 explains Ruari's mum, Valerie. participate in sport. Creating places to play Dean Trust Ardwick opened as a secondary school in a tough Manchester suburb in 2016. The school had many things to be proud of, including a 3G pitch, but it was still a struggle to get pupils and the community to use the facility Away-day happiness throughout the day. AFC Bournemouth fans Philomena But a grant of £676,098 from the and Tony Mutter have been attending Premier League & The FA Facilities matches for nearly 20 years, but their Fund has enabled Dean Trust Ardwick trip to watch the Cherries take on to open a new pavilion. Its much- Liverpool was a memorable one as they improved changing areas, a multi- travelled on a Jumbulance - a service function room as well as an office had two changing rooms and sponsored by the Premier League and and reception space means not 1,200 children, which is clearly not run by the Jumbulance Trust. only the pupils at the school, but the enough. We wanted to make it a true Philomena suffers from MS and community can now use the sports community school. was given the opportunity to make facilities outside school hours. “The pavilion is here for the children the journey from the Vitality Stadium Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater of the school but more importantly for to Anfield on the Jumbulance, a cross Trust’s Premier League & BT Disability Philomena and Tony Mutter Manchester, opened the venue. the community that we serve.” between a coach and an ambulance programme sessions. travelled to Anfield on the “Grassroots sport is so important The school also has a close working with special facilities for disabled fans. Tony adds: “The thing that can Premier League-sponsored Jumbulance to our area,” Burnham says. “The relationship with the Manchester “It was excellent – the drivers were restrict us travelling to away matches school’s new sports pavilion, and their United Foundation, which has a really helpful, we had everything we more than anything else is the other excellent facilities, will be of real permanent Community Development needed and were very comfortable transport. As well as this Jumbulance benefit to its students and all other Officer based on site. for the entire journey. The Jumbulance trip, the club has been putting on an users.” “For those youngsters who could 718 is such a worthwhile facility and I’m accessible minibus to take disabled fans Tarun Kapur, the CEO of the Dean just drop off the edge, the Foundation delighted I got the opportunity to to some away games and we have also Trust, is delighted by the potential helps us to spot them early and artificial grass pitches travel on it,” says Philomena who was used that. supported by Premier For more information offered by the new facilities. re-engage them,” adds Tarun. “It’s League & The FA accompanied on the trip by other “Bournemouth are doing their on the programme visit: “Ardwick is one of the most deprived a route to college, university and Facilities Fund to date fans, including participants from AFC utmost to cater for disabled fans, www.premierleague. wards in the country,” he says. “We employability.” Bournemouth Community Sports despite having such a small stadium.” com/communities

26 27 The Communities Making a difference The unique reach of the Premier League and its worldwide fanbase ensures our clubs can spread an array of vital social and environmental messages which can help change lives.

Meet Laura Pass on plastic Laura Wilson, Newcastle United’s face-to-face training and education The Premier League is partnering with To find out more about the Premier Community Projects Co-ordinator, materials to participants who are the Sky Ocean Rescue campaign to League’s partnership with Sky got to see first-hand how the Premier then able to use and share their raise awareness of the environmental and how clubs and fans are being Skills programme is changing lives in newly acquired skills to develop and issues caused by plastic. The encouraged to #PassOnPlastic, visit North Africa. co-ordinate projects in their own partnership aims to inspire Premier skyoceanrescue.com Laura, 26, was selected to go on a schools and communities. League clubs and fans across the six-day trip to Egypt in January 2018 Laura was thrilled to pass on her world to take positive action to reduce to take a leading role in the delivery knowledge and skills in order to help their single-use plastic intake, making of the Premier Skills programme community development in Egypt. small changes that will have a big in Hurghada, which saw her work “It was an amazing experience and impact. alongside a Premier League Coach one I am so thrilled to have taken The Premier League’s support for Sky Ocean Rescue Ninja Isaac Educator and other UK club coaches part in,” she explains. “We focused on Sky Ocean Rescue will see pupils Nartey forms part of a specialist to run intensive training for 36 empowering female coaches as we involved in the Premier League Primary team of experts who will help the grassroots coaches from across the want to make football more widely Stars programme educated on what Premier League provide support country. available to everybody. it means to be single-use plastic free. and guidance to clubs on how 20,027 Premier Skills is a global "The local coaches and players I They will learn how they can make a they can phase out single-use coaching and referee development spoke to were absolutely amazed difference and educate their parents plastic from their stadiums and coaches and programme run by the Premier the Premier League were trying in the process. referees trained in 29 operations. countries League and the British Council, and to help improve their footballing One club leading the way is He believes that having to date, has trained more than 20,000 knowledge. This scheme will not only 8m Tottenham Hotspur, whose state-of- access to 15,000 primary schools coaches and referees in 29 countries. make better footballers and better the-art new stadium will be free from in England and Wales via the tonnes of plastic Supported by the Ministry for coaches, but the health and safety plastic straws, stirrers and cutlery, Premier League Primary Stars Laura Wilson (left) embraced ends up in our the chance to go and coach Sport in Egypt, this Premier Skills and wellbeing of young Egyptian oceans every while its retail outlets will phase out initiative, will be a major step in in Hurghada, Egypt course saw UK club coaches provide players, and especially women, can year standard 5p carrier bags. getting the message out. only get better because of this idea. Club Ambassador Gary Mabbutt “It’s all about inspiring people It was an absolute privilege to be says: “The Sky Ocean Rescue to make small everyday changes involved.” programme is absolutely fantastic, the that can really stop our oceans Through Premier Skills young main reason being that there are so from drowning in plastic,” he said. people, often including the most 2050 many sea creatures being killed every “When you make people aware of vulnerable in society, are given year through plastic in the ocean. what they do at a young age – not opportunities to become more At current rates, by the “We all have to look at what we can to use single-use plastics and just year 2050 there will be throw them away – they will take involved with their local communities, more plastic than fish do to try and stop that and the more improve their employability and raise in the ocean we can do to get rid of single-use that through into their adult lives.” their self-esteem. plastics, the better.”

28 29 The Premier League

“Exciting football, packed stadiums and passionate fans around the world – this all creates a vibrant competition, which generates positive economic and social impact at local and global levels.”

Scott Duxbury Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, This is Watford FC Premier League

A successful competition leads to wider economic and social benefits.

30 31 The Premier League

Supporting local businesses Brighton & Hove Albion pride important to us that we are able to themselves on their close links support the local economy in this way, with the community. The name on as well as providing the significant the stadium is the first indicator: community outreach work we do.” the American Express Community The club’s promotion to the Premier Economic Stadium signals the role the League last season brought wider community plays in the club and their economic and cultural benefits to history. the city. Executive Director Martin Albion in the Community, the Perry adds: “There are direct impacts club’s charitable arm, co-ordinates created by the increase in revenue many programmes to engage the and jobs at the stadium and training impact local community, from supporting ground. There are also indirect primary schools to running adult benefits to our supply chain and The Premier League and our clubs generate significant social, health initiatives. But the role of the jobs supported by the club, and the club stretches beyond this as Chief induced effect which is the increase cultural and economic impact that is felt far beyond a matchday. Executive Paul Barber explains: “We in spending by close on 3,000 away aim to support local businesses supporters every game, many of wherever we can by employing whom go into the city, staying local suppliers and selling local overnight or enjoying the facilities. produce. For example, matchday In addition, there is the value of the pies are sold by a Brighton-based pie media coverage from images of manufacturer and the ale is provided Brighton being shown in 189 countries by a brewery down the road. It is around the world."

A substantial impact A successful competition leads to wider benefits to the UK, from tax contributions to the Treasury, to creating employment and attracting international tourism. An EY Economic Impact Assessment estimates that the League and our 20 clubs contributed £3.3 billion in taxes to the UK economy in Season 2016/17 alone.

£3.3bn 100,000 686,000 £7.6bn to the Treasury in taxes jobs supported people travelled to the value added to the UK to watch a Premier economy (GVA) League club

All figures from 2016/17 season 32 33 The Premier League

“Producing young players is a key part of what we stand for as a club. We’ve been delighted to see a number of players from the Academy Final standings appear in the first team this season and the performance of our teams The distribution of our central and broadcast income enables all our at all levels, which included winning clubs to improve facilities, while developing and acquiring players Premier League 2. We have invested significantly in our Academy facilities and supporting their communities. and staff across all areas and look forward to more young players developing their careers under the guidance of Per Mertesacker, who will lead the Academy next season.” Ivan Gazidis Chief Executive, Arsenal FC

Pos Club W D L GD Pts Total payment

1 Manchester City 32 4 2 +79 100 £149.4m

2 Manchester United 25 6 7 +40 81 £149.8m

3 Tottenham Hotspur 23 8 7 +38 77 £144.4m

4 Liverpool 21 12 5 +46 75 £145.9m

5 Chelsea 21 7 10 +24 70 £141.7m

6 Arsenal 19 6 13 +23 63 £142.0m

7 Burnley 14 12 12 -3 54 £119.8m

8 Everton 13 10 15 -14 49 £128.0m

9 Leicester City 12 11 15 -4 47 £118.2m

10 Newcastle United 12 8 18 -8 44 £123.0m 125 £100m YEARS The amount the 11 Crystal Palace 11 11 16 -10 44 £114.3m Premier League invests per season in 12 AFC Bournemouth 11 11 16 -16 44 £111.2m the development of community facilities, 13 West Ham United 10 12 16 -20 42 £116.1m sports participation, Central payments to community and schools clubs 2017/18 14 Watford 11 8 19 -20 41 £106.3m programmes, and to The collective and central way the our clubs to remain as competitive support the well-being Premier League markets rights and as possible. The investment they 15 Brighton & Hove Albion 9 13 16 -20 40 £107.7m of players in lower distributes revenues to clubs supports make using these central payments, leagues. The Premier 16 Huddersfield Town 9 10 19 -30 37 £102.4m League also supports all of them to not only invest in creates safer and more accessible the English Football talented players and facilities, but stadia for fans. This on-pitch success 17 Southampton 7 15 16 -19 36 £107.2m League with a further also their local communities and the enables the responsible distribution £100m per season of wider football pyramid. of investment through the rest of 18 Swansea City 8 9 21 -28 33 £98.5m Solidarity payments The income generated by fans the football pyramid to ensure and ring-fenced Youth 19 Stoke City 7 12 19 -33 33 £98.9m Development grants. watching compelling matches in participation in the game can thrive the Premier League is what allows at every level. 20 West Bromwich Albion 6 13 19 -25 31 £94.7m

34 35 Premier League Season 2017/18 clubs

125 YEARS

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