Norwich City’s Pelle Mattsson, head coach Philippe Clement, and executive director Zoe Webber visited the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital on Tuesday afternoon, demonstrating the club's commitment to community involvement. This heartwarming event featured players from both the men’s and women’s teams, showcasing the significant role a football club can play beyond the pitch.
Reflecting on the experience, Mattsson expressed the unique bond he feels with Norwich City. “When I come to a place like the hospital, I don’t think about being a footballer,” the Danish player said. “I enjoy being a footballer, I enjoy being in Norwich, but this is what the game is about, to be able to give something back to children who are facing difficult times.” Read more about Norwich Target FA Cup Glory Against Walsall.
Under Clement’s guidance, Mattsson has made notable strides in his performance during recent Championship fixtures. He acknowledged the club's dedication to community outreach, stating, “I was told the club won an award for its community work last year. It means a lot to bring smiles to people’s faces in difficult times. I enjoyed this visit. It is a joy to see the children happy, even though it is difficult.” Read more about Clement Targets January Reinforcements as Canaries Eye Squad Depth.
This visit marked Mattsson's first experience in community service, as he had not participated in similar events at his previous club. “Seeing all the children happy brings joy to me and to the other players,” he remarked, paying tribute to the hospital staff. “The staff here are the real heroes, not us. They work really hard to take care of the children, and for me, it is nice knowing all the staff are doing all they can. These are the best staff in the world.”
Clement also valued the rewarding nature of the visit, sharing a light-hearted moment with a family of Ipswich Town supporters. “I told them, everybody can make mistakes. Maybe we can help them. And next year, they’re going to be Norwich fans,” he joked, highlighting the friendly atmosphere during the visit. He emphasised the importance of community involvement, noting, “I feel the importance of the community already at the training ground, with all the local people working there. That’s what I like, not people who think that they are better than others, but people who want to help others.” Read more about Makama Shines as Norwich Edge Past Southampton.
As the festive season approaches, Clement recognised the significance of their visit to the hospital. “It’s nice to see all the smiles on faces, of course. And that’s why everybody from the club is here to give them presents. It’s an important period of the year; a lot of children will not have Christmas at home, so it’s important that we can give something more.”
Clement’s attention to detail was evident as he expressed his desire for the gifts to genuinely bring happiness to the children. “It’s also important for the players that they are focused on football and live in that bubble, to give everything, but that they know what real life is, and they know the life outside of the bubble,” he added.
In his closing remarks, Clement paid tribute to the hospital staff, recognising their vital contributions. “The work of the staff is much more important than our job, because they save lives. I have a lot of respect for them.”
This visit serves as a poignant reminder that the essence of football transcends the pitch, positively impacting the lives of those in the communities they serve.