News: McAnuff Announced As EFL Community Ambassador

Former Watford midfielder Jobi McAnuff will represent the EFL as Community Ambassador for the 2024/25 season, helping to showcase the work of clubs in their communities.

The 43-year-old made 92 appearances for the Hornets during his two-year stint with the club, and is no stranger to the EFL having played more than 750 times across the top-five tiers of English football.

On his new position, McAnuff said: “Football is a universal language and is something that brings a lot of people together, and as both a player and a manager in the EFL I have witnessed first-hand just how important clubs are as a focal point of their local communities and key pillars in community life.

“I’m used to talking about matters on the pitch in my role as a pundit but I’m really looking forward to also highlighting the important work clubs do off the pitch to help tackle some of society’s biggest challenges.”

McAnuff is one of two Ambassadors for the remainder of the season, with Rachel Brown-Finnis, who played for England on more than 80 occasions in her career as well as featuring for Women's Super League sides Liverpool and Everton, also taking up the position. 

Since their respective retirements, both have moved into broadcasting, with each now boasting a prominent role within the media.

“The work of a football club transcends far beyond the pitch,” Brown-Finnis said. “Clubs continually react and respond to whatever challenges crop up in the current climate.

“They also provide a safe place where people of all ages and backgrounds feel comfortable, and in times of adversity, football’s response and an individual club’s response is always ‘how can we help our people?’

“I’ve witnessed first-hand the impact EFL clubs can have in positively changing people’s lives and I’m looking forward to playing a small part in telling the story to a wider audience.”

EFL clubs make a real difference to their local communities and surrounding areas - both on and off the pitch 365 days a year - and positively impact people and wider society.

Their community efforts are changing lives for the better in areas such as physical and mental wellbeing, education, social connection and community cohesion.

In 2023/24 alone, EFL players made almost 21,000 appearances at club and CCO events, an average of 292 appearances per club.

This week (Monday November 18 to Friday November 22), the EFL is showcasing its annual Week of Action, celebrating the collective impact of club community work across the league.

The EFL Week of Action sees managers and players meet those who participate in their club’s community activities, as well as getting involved in some of the most innovative projects that are improving the quality of people’s lives.