News & Events

Southend United midfielder Stephen McLaughlin has been nominated for the PFA Player in the Community Award at this year’s EFL Awards.

McLaughlin has supported a range of Southend United Community & Educational Trust (SUCET) projects during 2019, displaying an outstanding attitude towards work carried out in the community.

At the beginning of the calendar year, the Irishman took part in a fun Soccer School Q&A with children at St. Mary’s Prittlewell C of E Primary School, passing on advice for the future.

The 29-year-old surprised young Blues fan Tyler at his home on the Kursaal estate, handing over a signed football from the squad and free tickets to a first team match at Roots Hall.

Tyler, 7, is a regular attendee of SUCET sessions including Soccer Schools and After School Clubs.

During Christmas, McLaughlin paid a special visit to HARP’s Bradbury Day Centre along with teammates Tom Hopper and Brandon Goodship to help support local homeless people.

He donated food parcels containing items such as cereal, coffee and granola bars to service users, as well as volunteering in the kitchen.

Established in 2006, the EFL Awards is an annual awards ceremony commemorating football-related people involved in the three divisions of the EFL.

This year’s event will take place on Sunday 19 April at Grosvenor House London, Park Lane.

Entries will be judged and shortlisted for the award, before winners for each league and an overall PFA Player in the Community are announced at the event.

McLaughlin commented:

“I’m really grateful that I have been nominated for this award.

“It’s very important that the club does community work and as players we get involved.

“I’ve witnessed first hand what it does for people and it’s priceless.”

To find out more about the EFL Awards, please visit: www.efl.com/EFLAwards2020.