Non-league club Needham Market to offer free tickets to NHS staff

A non-league football club in Suffolk will offer free tickets to NHS staff for every game next season as a thank you for their hard work fighting Covid-19.

Needham Market FC, who play in the 7th tier, said the gesture was the least they could do for local NHS workers who have stood "head and shoulders above the rest" during the coronavirus crisis.

In a statement, the club confirmed anyone who presents an NHS staff card at the turnstiles next season will be given free entry.

Like many non-league clubs, Needham Market's current campaign was ended prematurely as a result of the virus.

"There is one group of people over the last couple of months that has stood head and shoulders above the rest," a statement read.

"We, of course, are speaking about the frontline and supporting NHS workers, who have been putting themselves at risk day in and day out to treat and care for those who are battling this awful disease.

"Needham Market Football Club are proud to announce that during forthcoming season, all NHS workers will be permitted free entry to first team league games at Bloomfields on production of their NHS card.

"This gesture hopefully records our clubs’ appreciation of some of these individuals."

Fellow Suffolk club, Newmarket Town, also tweeted on Sunday that they will be handing out free tickets to NHS staff next season as well.