By 
Mansfield Town Football in the Community has named Lead Coach (Post 16 Education / PL Primary Stars), Mark Lynk, as its Community Captain.
To celebrate 30 years of the Premier League, all club charities were asked to nominate a Community Captain who demonstrates a commitment to their club and/or community. The campaign celebrates not just the brilliant on-pitch stories but also the incredible off-pitch impact of the Premier League and clubs over the past 30 years.
FITC nominated Community Lead Coach, Mark Lynk, as its Community Captain as part of the celebration. The Community Captain accolade is being given to more than 100 members of the public who have made an outstanding contribution to their club and local community, as part of the Premier League’s 30th anniversary celebrations.
Mark received the accolade at Mansfield Town. He received a PL30 Community Captain armband and pennant. Mark, more known as “Lynk” to those around him, has been a vital part to the community since 2004, working his way from Community Coach to being the Lead Coach on PL Primary Stars projects, as well as the Lead Coach for Mansfield Town Football in the Community’s Post-16 Education CEFA team.
Community Manager Gary Shaw, who presented Mark’s Community Captain award, said: “There’s no one who deserves the award and recognition more than Mark, for the work he does on and off the pitch with the CEFA students but also with our PL Primary Stars participants. He’s a fantastic asset to the team, when you think what embodies a Community Coach, Mark Lynk is that.”
Quote from Community Captain: “It’s a great honour to receive this award. I’ve been here a long time and have loved every minute of it. I’m grateful to receive this award, however the work we do as a Community together is what it’s all about, as we engage young participants across partner schools and at the stadium.”
Premier League Chief Executive Richard Masters said: “As we mark 30 years since the Premier League first kicked off, it is important we celebrate the unsung heroes who deliver brilliant work in their communities. These people – whether they are participants, coaches, volunteers or long-time employees – are the lifeblood of their clubs and their communities.
“The continued success of Premier League football enables us to provide unprecedented investment in communities and wider football. As we look to the future, we are committed to investing more than ever, to help develop the game and provide opportunities to people of all ages.”
Across England and Wales, Premier League investment supports the community organisations of all 92 Premier League and English Football League clubs, plus the 68 National League clubs.
Over the next three years, the League will continue its world-leading levels of support by contributing £1.6 billion to communities and the wider game.
During the Trophy Tour, the League will be announcing new financial commitments to benefit fans and communities. This includes increased investment into the Premier League Fans’ Fund, with £5m available to support fan engagement projects across the top four divisions of the football pyramid. The League is also investing an additional £13.5 million into the Football Foundation to create small-sided pitches in the heart of communities that need them the most. The tour will also give an opportunity to highlight new Premier League investment into women’s and girls’ football, including the Emerging Talent Centres announced earlier this summer.
To find out more, please visit premierleague.com
For more information on the Premier League Trophy Tour please contact: PL30@freuds.com
