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Four youngsters hold plants and a bag of compost on Stevenage station platform with a Thameslink train in the background
Blooming good work: Stevenage FC Academy players have planted up station platform flower boxes as part of the partnership that provides free travel to training, school and college

Press release -

Thameslink and Stevenage FC continue Academy partnership for 12th year

Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) is proud to partner with Stevenage Football Club for the 12th year.

The operator of Great Northern and Thameslink trains provides Academy apprentices with free rail travel on its network, supporting players of all backgrounds get to training, school and college.

The longstanding partnership has seen the two organisations team up on many campaigns, such as tackling the stigma attached to mental health, collecting toys for disadvantaged youths at Christmas, and encouraging travellers to open up for Brew Monday with Samaritans.

The players have taken an active role in enhancing Stevenage station's place in the community. Earlier this year, a group planted up platform flower boxes with blooms to brighten the day of passing passengers (see photos below).

Jenny Saunders, Customer Services Director at GTR, said: “We're proud to partner with Stevenage FC to support their Academy apprentices. This free travel supports some 40 young people aged 16-18 as they pursue their dreams in sport; I can't think of anything more worthwhile.

“Side-by-side, we've also been supporting a Step Up programme with the Stevenage FC Foundation to keep youths engaged in education at the town's secondary schools.”

Gibson, Stevenage FC Head of Academy added: “Our partnership with Thameslink represents a transformative opportunity for both our students and their families.

“By offering streamlined travel solutions, we’re not only making education more accessible, but also empowering students to develop valuable life skills through their experiences with Thameslink.

“This collaboration significantly reduces travel costs, allowing students to focus more on their academic journey and more on their long-term aspirations.”

ENDS

Editors’ notes

Stevenage Football Club Academy, based at the SFC Sports Hub on Broadhall Way, provides training activities and facilities for all ages and abilities as well as its talent identification and elite development programmes, with coaching for players with the potential to be professional members of the first-team squad.

For any enquiries regarding sponsorship, partnerships, advertising or hospitality, please email davidh@stevenagefc.com or call 07415 732132.

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For more information, contact the press office on 0203 750 2031.

Govia Thameslink Railway

Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) operates Thameslink, Great Northern, Southern and Gatwick Express services as follows:

  • Thameslink – cross-London services between Bedford/Peterborough/Cambridge and Brighton/Horsham/East Grinstead, and between Luton/St Albans and Sutton/Wimbledon/Rainham; plus services between London and Sevenoaks
  • Great Northern – services between London and Welwyn, Hertford, Peterborough, Cambridge and King’s Lynn
  • Southern – services between London and the Sussex coast (Brighton, Worthing, Eastbourne, Bognor Regis, Hastings) and parts of Surrey, Kent and Hampshire (Ashford International, Southampton, Portsmouth)
  • Gatwick Express – fast, non-stop direct services between Gatwick Airport and London Victoria

www.southernrailway.com, www.thameslinkrailway.com, www.gatwickexpress.com, www.greatnorthernrail.com

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