In a heartwarming return to his footballing roots, Liverpool legend Graeme Souness has stepped back into a coaching role for the first time in twenty years. The former Sky Sports pundit, now 72, visited Easthouses Lily Miners Welfare FC this week, delivering the exciting news that the club had secured £2,000 in funding through Flutter UK and Ireland's Cash4Clubs programme.
A Legendary Return to the Dugout
Graeme Souness then took charge of a training session for the football club, which serves one of Scotland's most deprived communities. The Scottish icon expressed deep admiration for the grassroots level of the sport, stating that it represents the purest form of football.
'This is the real deal when you come down to this level,' Souness said. 'They're doing it for the love of the game, for the love of their community. It doesn't get any better than this. Everyone's here for the right reason.'
Reflecting on his own career, Souness added: 'Being part of a team, I can't tell you, it's just the best. When I finished playing, and you go into management, it can be a bit of a lonely old job. But when you're a player, you're in a dressing room like this; the banter, and you're sitting with your mates. You win together, and you lose together. Being in this environment must be fantastic.'
Cash4Clubs Programme Impact
The Cash4Clubs 2025-2026 programme received nearly 1,500 applications from community organisations and charities across the UK and Ireland. Alongside Easthouses Lily Miners FC, other successful recipients include:
- A Roller Derby club in Scotland
- A Walking Netball team in Manchester
- A boxing class in Derby
Notably, nearly half of this year's grant recipients are based in some of the most deprived areas of the UK and Ireland. The funding will support over forty different sports, ranging from traditional activities like football and swimming to more diverse pursuits including yoga, bowls, wheelchair sports, cycling, climbing, and archery.
Mental Health and Community Support
A significant aspect of the programme's impact is its focus on mental wellbeing. Approximately six in ten grants will support clubs delivering activities specifically designed for people experiencing mental health challenges.
Since its inception nearly two decades ago, Cash4Clubs has invested more than £7 million into grassroots and community sport. The programme operates in partnership with the charity Sported, with primary objectives including:
- Driving participation in sports
- Improving community sports facilities
- Helping clubs and charities purchase essential equipment
Club Reaction and Future Plans
David McQueenie, team manager of Easthouses Lily Miners Welfare, emphasized how crucial the funding would be for the club's survival. 'We're a voluntary run club in a deprived area so this money will help us survive – it's as simple as that,' he stated. 'Especially for our older spectators who rely on us as a focus in life.'
McQueenie expressed particular excitement about Souness's visit: 'To have Graeme Souness along to our club is just incredible. I mean, the things that Graeme's done in the game is absolutely fantastic. The lads couldn't believe it.' The funding will be allocated toward venue hire, equipment purchases, and new kit for the team.
Additional Celebrity Involvement
The Cash4Clubs initiative also featured other football legends making special appearances. Alan Shearer visited Newcastle Panthers Football Club, the only LGBTQIA+ friendly football team in the North East, to personally deliver news of their successful funding application.
This comprehensive programme demonstrates the ongoing commitment to supporting community sports across diverse regions and demographics, ensuring that sporting opportunities remain accessible to all, regardless of background or circumstance.
