REVEALED: Kalvin Phillips’ man-of-the-match display in England’s Euro 2020 opener against Croatia sparked huge 120% increase in grassroots participation in Yorkshire… with kids flocking to Leeds star’s boyhood club after watching him shine at Wembley
Kalvin Phillips‘ man-of-the-match display for England in their Euro 2020 opener last week saw a huge 120 per cent increase in grassroots participation across Yorkshire.
The Leeds hero was already well-known to Premier League fans but he burst onto the national scene at Wembley with his brilliant display against Croatia last Sunday.
And it now appears that his performance has sparked the younger generation into wanting to play themselves, with sign-ups for the McDonald’s Fun Football programme across Yorkshire more than doubling this week.
Kalvin Phillips was hugely impressive in England’s opening match of Euro 2020 against Croatia
When he was younger, Phillips came through the ranks at Wortley FC before joining Leeds
Inspired by Phillips’ performance under Gareth Southgate for the Three Lions, kids flocked to Wortley FC, the midfielder’s boyhood club, for their sessions.
Speaking about his footballing education in Yorkshire, Phillips said: ‘Since I was a kid, I would play football wherever or whenever I could – before school, at Wortley or over at mushy fields. I’d play with anyone, my mates, my brother, my sisters.
‘I’d always have a ball at my feet, because for me, it was all about having fun and the people I was with. None of that’s changed, even today playing with England!
‘That’s why I’m excited to team up with McDonald’s to encourage more kids to try football for the first time and enjoy themselves through their free Fun Football sessions.’
Phillips’ display at Euro 2020 sparked a huge increase in participation across Yorkshire
Young fans of Leeds and England are desperate to follow in the footsteps of their hero Phillips
Kalvin’s former coach Ian Thackray also described his ‘goosebumps’ at watching Phillips perform for England, referring to him as a ‘little guy with a big smile.’
Over the summer, with the focus fully on Euro 2020 and young footballers more desperate than ever to play, McDonalds are hosting over 800 Fun Football sessions for free across the UK.
The fast food giants have committed to deliver over one million hours of free coaching to kids aged five to 11, in a bid to get the next generation playing football.
At Wortley, they will certainly be on the lookout for the next Kalvin Phillips, as the Leeds man himself prepares to play a big part in the knockout stages with England in the coming days.
For further information on McDonald’s involvement in grassroots football and to find out how your club could benefit, follow @FunFootballUK on Twitter and Instagram.
Find your local free Fun Football Centre and sign up today at: www.mcdonalds.co.uk/funfootball
A mural of Phillips in Leeds, where participation was up 120% in the week after his display
Young footballers at a McDonalds Fun Football session at Phillips’ boyhood club Wortley FC