Football

Gary Lineker praises Jordan Henderson as stars launch Players Together NHS fund


Gary Lineker hailed the “absolutely brilliant” Premier League stars who have set up the newly launched Players Together fund – but singled out Jordan Henderson for special praise.

The Premier League captains confirmed on Wednesday they had set up the fund, which has already raised £4million for NHS charities to help combat the coronavirus pandemic.

Players made a collective announcement on social media with a host of other big names following Liverpool captain Henderson in putting their name to the fund.

Henderson is understood to have played a leading role in rallying his fellow professionals to set up the fund, and Lineker applauded him as he posted a series of tweets welcoming the initiative.

The Premier League’s multi-millionaire footballers were last week urged by health secretary Matt Hancock to take a pay cut – and Lineker said at the time he was confident players would step up and make a generous contribution.

Gary Lineker said Premier League players were ‘setting the right example’

Many felt that footballers were being unfairly targeted by the health secretary’s remarks, when other wealthy sections of society were not being specifically asked to make a contribution.

And after the launch of the fund yesterday, Lineker tweeted: “Footballers are doing their bit as I was confident they would.

“Let’s hope that others that are in a position to help, those that weren’t unfairly targeted, do likewise. Proud of our players.”

A second tweet showed how many players had already posted their support for Players Together on Instagram, with Lineker saying: “Absolutely brilliant. Well played to each and every one of them. Young men setting the right example. #Playerstogether

Jordan Henderson was described as ‘a class act on and off the pitch’

And a third tweet from Lineker simply said: “Great job @JHenderson ” with three clapping emojis.

Other Twitter users joined in with the praise for Henderson, with one calling him “The real England captain”.

Another said: “Such a class act on and off the pitch. As a scotsman. I find it utterly bizarre the abuse he receives. A great captain, player and most importantly person.”

Players Together has been set up and organised by the Professional Footballers’ Association, and is supported by the Premier League, with the 20 top-flight captains having brokered the final arrangements on their WhatsApp group over the past few days.

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The plan was already underway before the stinging rebuke from Mr Hancock last week.

The PFA have already paid in £1.5m with a personal donation from Gordon Taylor while the players are making personal donations and also donations from their monthly salaries.

Players will keep the donations and contributions anonymous but hope to raise millions more over the next few months and plan to make it a permanent fixture.





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