Matty Blakemore has been named Derby County’s Community Captain for the Premier League ‘More than a Game’ initiative.
Premier League Kicks began 20 years ago as a pilot programme with four clubs and a partnership with the Metropolitan Police. The Premier League now funds 93 clubs across the Premier League, EFL and National League to run Premier League Kicks.
This year, all Premier League, EFL, and National League clubs that deliver Premier League Kicks have had the opportunity to nominate a Community Captain.
The Community Captain, linked to their Premier League Kicks activity, is someone who deserves recognition for their contribution to the game and society. This includes participants, coaches, volunteers and alumni of the programme who demonstrate the benefits it can bring.
Derby County Community Trust are pleased to announce Matty Blakemore as their 2026 Community Captain.
Blakemore has been chosen in recognition of his outstanding commitment to Derby County Community Trust’s Premier League Kicks programme.
With over 20 years of involvement with the Community Trust and more than a decade dedicated to Kicks, he has been a consistent and passionate advocate for the programme.
Every Monday and Friday, he turns up to support young people, making him a reliable and highly valued casual coach. He takes the time to understand each participant he works with and truly embodies what the Kicks programme stands for.
Born and raised in the local area, close to the Kicks delivery site he now supports, Blakemore has built strong relationships with both participants and parents. His impact on the programme is invaluable because of the trust he has built; he is able to relate to young people in a way that helps staff manage challenging behaviour and create a positive environment for everyone.
Beyond this, he has created countless opportunities for young people who may not otherwise have had the chance, making a genuine and lasting difference in his community.
Zack Yates from the Derby County Community Trust spoke about Blakemore's nomination.
He said: "Matty's long-standing support week on week to be a familiar and trusted face for participants has been vital to DCCT's Premier League Kicks delivery. He has just reached 20 years involved with the Trust, which shows his passion and dedication. He is a truly deserving Community Captain."