Four Premier League club stadiums in London have been used this weekend as test sites and vaccination centres in the fight against COVID-19.
Brentford, Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United have all been working with local NHS trusts to help people in their communities by offering their facilities, as well as staff.
The Brentford Community Stadium has supported Hounslow Council's drive to get as many people tested as possible, while allowing many local people to see the new ground for the first time.
"The sooner we return to normal, the sooner we can fill our new stadium for the Premier League," Brentford chairman Cliff Crown told the club's official website.
"We always wanted our stadium to be an asset for the whole community and this is just one way it can be used in the coming years."
Mayor visits Stamford Bridge
On Saturday, Stamford Bridge hosted a pop-up vaccination centre, where 6,000 doses of the Pfizer jab were administered.
Chelsea FC Chairman Bruce Buck and @MayorOfLondon Sadiq Khan were at Stamford Bridge today to welcome the NHS as they administered 6,000 doses of the Covid-19 vaccine to local residents.
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) June 19, 2021
"We have the kind of venue that is suitable for this," Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck, who was joined by Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, told the club's official website.
"We have experience of moving people around efficiently in an organised way and we’re committed to doing a really good job working with the NHS, today, as we have done in the last year and as we will do in the future."
NHS helped by Hammers
Residents of east London boroughs were able to book ahead and receive their first jab at West Ham's London Stadium.
Thousands of east Londoners received their first COVID-19 jab at a special pop-up NHS Vaccination Clinic at London Stadium on Saturday.https://t.co/P8PFuiYrmu
— West Ham United (@WestHam) June 20, 2021
"Getting as many people vaccinated as possible will save lives and is the best way for us to beat COVID-19," West Ham vice-chairman Baroness Karren Brady told the club's official website.
"The football family has pulled together throughout the pandemic in support of our local communities and West Ham United is proud to continue our strong partnership with our local NHS trusts, assisting with this event as part of the national effort."
Spurs host COVID-19 clinic
The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium has been hosting a mass COVID-19 vaccination clinic on Sunday for anyone aged 18 and over.
It is the second time this year the stadium has held such a clinic, and former Spurs players Ledley King, Gary Mabbutt and Ossie Ardiles were on hand early in the day to welcome attendees.
🙌 Incredible turnout at our mass vaccine clinic at the stadium today.
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) June 20, 2021
We’re open until 6pm for anyone over 18 yet to receive their jab. pic.twitter.com/LcHlIFOCNi
Clubs helping NHS
Throughout the pandemic, Premier League clubs have been providing their facilities and resources to help the NHS and those in need in their communities hit by the virus.
Anfield, Selhurst Park, Villa Park, Old Trafford, the Amex Stadium, Elland Road and Manchester City's Etihad Campus are among the other venues which have supported the training and/or administering of vaccinations to date.
