Premier League clubs are uniting to reward brave NHS workers fighting coronavirus by offering them 100,000 tickets to football matches once the outbreak is over.
All leagues across the football pyramid are currently suspended as the UK deals with the deadly virus that has seen more than 8,000 cases and over 400 deaths.
There is a target date to return on April 30 but it is likely that date will be pushed back further with players in self-isolation following government instructions to stay indoors to prevent spreading the virus.
And while football might be sitting on the back burner for now, clubs have decided to show their appreciation for those on the front lines battle the disease by gifting thousands of tickets when the game resumes, as reported by the Telegraph.
The campaign was kicked off by Brighton, who have pledged 1,000 tickets to NHS staff, and Bournemouth have become the latest team to sign up to the initiative.
The Seagulls, who have also vowed to help supporters over 70 with supplies during the crisis, are now urging other Premier League sides, as well as clubs in the EFL, Scottish and Irish leagues to commit to the cause.
Bournemouth chairman Jeff Mostyn admitted that football 'is the last thing on anyone's minds' right now, but said it was important for clubs to give a signal of their gratitude to the workers risking their lives and desperately trying to save others.
He said: 'We are absolutely delighted to match Brighton's gesture and commit to one thousand tickets, and we will pass the baton to another club with the aim of reaching a significant target so football as a whole can show its appreciation for our country's NHS workers.
'We fully appreciate football is the last thing on anyone's minds at this moment, but we feel this is a small way in which we can show our gratitude for those NHS staff on the frontline, fighting the battle on all of our behalf – and give them something to look forward to.'
He said the goal of 100,000 was achievable if each club in the football league committed to joining the campaign and was hopeful the 'football family' could come together to do some good.
'If each of the 92 clubs committed on average one thousand tickets, with The FA donating for a future England international and Scottish Premier League and Irish League clubs also contributing, we could easily top 100,000 tickets for these heroes. We are seeing some brilliant initiatives from clubs all over the world, and I am hopeful that there is more to come from the football family.
'Of course the biggest support we can all show our NHS heroes is by following that crucial government advice on social distancing, self-isolating, hand hygiene and using tissues to catch, kill and bin coughs and sneezes.'
The coronavirus has not only brought sport to a halt in England, but all around the world, with both Euro 2020 and the Olympics set to be delayed until next summer. A number of boxing fights are also under threat, including Anthony Joshua v Kubrat Pulev in June, while there are continuing doubts over Wimbledon.