ACCRINGTON Stanley’s big shirt giveaway saw 1,200 Hyndburn year 3 pupils from 40 schools get a football top.

This year the annual giveaway had to be done differently due to Covid-19 with deliveries being made to schools instead of students coming to the Wham Stadium.

Club owner Andy Holt has backed the campaign in its fourth year.

He said: “This is one of the best things we have ever done at Accrington Stanley.

“It’s the fourth year we have given away shirts to Year 3 pupils in Hyndburn and it’s great to see them pictured in their shirts and the smiles on their faces.

“We want to attract the next generation of Accrington Stanley fans and hopefully this will help.

“It is just a shame they couldn’t come to the Wham Stadium but hopefully we will see some of their faces there in the near future, when fans are again allowed in the ground.”

Stanley’s most famous fan David Lloyd, the cricketer and broadcaster, got involved and said: “Covid hasn’t stopped us, the show must go on!

“It’s a terrific gesture and the best bit is seeing the social media and all the mums and dads putting on proud pictures of their children in Accrington Stanley shirts.”

The pupils also received a goody-bag, containing items such as flags, yo-yos and fridge magnets from sponsors Studio and Sundown.

In previous years, the school students would meet the players before they received their shirts.

Schools took a photo of their pupils in their new kit and the reactions were superb.

Accrington school St Oswald’s said: “A huge thank you from all at St Oswald’s for the shirts delivered today!

“We have a class of very excited Year 3 children all wearing them with pride.”

St Peters and St Pauls School said: “Thank you so much for the lovely shirts - the children were very excited.”

White Ash were similarly impressed: “Thank you for the shirts and gift bags. The pupils love them.”

Rishton Methodist Primary School were delighted with their shirts: “We love the kits. Thanks very much.”

St Mary Magdalen’s in Church said: “Can I just say a huge thank you from all of Year 3 for the very kind gifts from Accrington Stanley, the children were overjoyed with what they received and were smiling from ear to ear when they left tonight. It was lovely to see them so happy! Thank you.”

Hyndburn Park said it had made their pupils’ day: “The children have had a wonderful day enjoying their shirts.”

All photos of the school children will be in the Christmas edition of the Amazing Accrington magazine which will be distributed from the last week of November into 36,000 Hyndburn households.