Football fans across England will notice a subtle but significant change to their match schedules this weekend, as every single EFL fixture kicks off precisely one minute later than the advertised time. This coordinated delay forms the centrepiece of the ongoing Every Minute Matters campaign, a life-saving initiative that harnesses the power of football to promote vital CPR training across the nation.
A Symbolic Gesture with Life-Saving Intent
From Thursday 5th February through to Monday 9th February, all 36 scheduled matches in the Championship, League One, and League Two will observe this symbolic minute's pause. The campaign, which was first introduced during last season's dramatic play-offs, aims to drive public awareness about the critical importance of cardiopulmonary resuscitation during cardiac emergencies. Organisers are urging supporters and the wider public to utilise the British Heart Foundation's innovative RevivR tool, an online platform that teaches CPR techniques in just fifteen minutes.
The Stark Statistics Behind the Symbolism
The campaign's central message is underpinned by sobering medical statistics. For every minute that passes without effective CPR or defibrillation following a cardiac arrest, the chances of survival decrease by a staggering ten percent. Furthermore, the initiative highlights that approximately eighty percent of cardiac arrests occurring outside hospital settings happen within the home environment. This statistic powerfully illustrates that individuals are far more likely to need to perform CPR on a loved one or family member than on a complete stranger.
Since its official launch in May 2024, the Every Minute Matters campaign has already inspired remarkable engagement. Over four hundred thousand people have taken the crucial step to learn CPR through the British Heart Foundation's resources – a number that surpasses four times the total capacity of Wembley Stadium. This impressive figure includes the significant response generated during last season's Championship play-off final between Sunderland and Sheffield Wednesday, which also observed the symbolic sixty-second delay.
Football's Personal Connection to the Cause
The campaign carries particular resonance within the football community, exemplified by the powerful testimony of former Luton Town captain Tom Lockyer. Now playing for Bristol Rovers and serving as a British Heart Foundation ambassador, Lockyer experienced two terrifying on-pitch medical emergencies. He first collapsed during Luton's Championship play-off final against Coventry City in May 2023, before suffering a full cardiac arrest just seven months later during a Premier League match at Bournemouth.
"What happened to me can happen to anyone, anywhere, at any time," Lockyer emphasised. "Every year, more than 40,000 people in the UK suffer an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, and most of them never make it home. I'm here today because of the transformative power of CPR as every minute matters when it comes to saving a life. This February, we want everyone to get behind this life-saving initiative, learn the skills and be ready to step in – because your actions could give someone else the chance I was given."
Weekend Fixtures with Added Significance
The awareness drive commences with Accrington Stanley hosting Salford City in a League Two encounter on Thursday evening, with kick-off scheduled for 8:01pm instead of the usual 8:00pm. The weekend's football calendar then features numerous matches observing the delayed start, including Luton Town's League One clash against Bradford City on Saturday afternoon, which will begin at 12:31pm. For Luton supporters, the campaign holds profound personal significance given their former captain's experiences.
The weekend's action culminates on Monday night with Sheffield United's important Championship fixture against promotion-chasing Middlesbrough, which will also commence at 8:01pm. Across all these matches, the simple act of delaying kick-off by sixty seconds serves as a powerful visual reminder of the campaign's central message.
Football Driving Community Change
EFL chief executive officer Trevor Birch articulated how football clubs can function as catalysts for positive social change. "Our 72 Clubs sit at the heart of their communities, and they show time and again how football can drive real-world change," he stated. "The one minute kick-off adjustment is a simple, powerful reminder that swift CPR can be the difference between life and death. Since the launch of the Every Minute Matters campaign in May 2024, over 400,000 supporters have already begun learning CPR - now we're calling on supporters everywhere to join them this February and help us pass the half million mark."
This innovative campaign demonstrates how professional sports organisations can leverage their considerable platform and influence to address critical public health issues. By integrating awareness-raising directly into the fabric of matchday routines, the EFL and British Heart Foundation have created a memorable initiative that could ultimately equip thousands more people with skills that might one day save a life.
