Ashley Young and Gabby Agbonlahor visit injured footballers …

England and Aston Villa stars, Ashley Young and Gabby Agbonlahor today visited Lilleshall Sports Injury Clinic in Shropshire, to see first hand how their England match fees are helping to provide medical treatment for fellow footballers whose careers have been blighted by injury.

Since the England squad’s decision back in 2007 to set up their own charity – The Team England Footballers Charity – every player has foregone their match fees and many players have given up their time to support chosen charity partners.

Today’s visit was in support of the Professional Footballers Association who have set up an Accident Fund to ensure that every professional footballer with a contract has access to medical treatment. Together with the PFA Accident Fund, the England football team is helping to provide facilities for current and former players to receive rehabilitation in career threatening injuries.

Ashley Young said: “The facilities and treatment offered here at Lilleshall is fantastic. It’s great to see first hand how our England match fees are supporting players who have sustained injuries. Following treatment here many players make a full recovery and return to the game. ”

Gabby Agbonlahor added: “As professional footballers we are very conscious that our careers could be cut short through injury and where possible, we want to help others who have suffered a knock back.”

Lilleshall is one of the UK’s National Sports Centre’s, training grounds and centers of excellence for the country’s leading sportsmen and women.

Speaking about the Team England Footballers Charity partnership, Gordon Taylor, Chief Executive, The Professional Footballers Association said: “The PFA are delighted to be associated with the Team England Footballers Charity. This charitable initiative once again highlights the commitment of our members to using their profile and position for the benefit of others.”

Tags: , ashley young, england, football, gabby agbonlahor, gordon taylor, injuries, lilleshall sports injury clinic, pfa, professional footballers association, the team england footballers charity