League asks players to ‘go for a pint'

The 18-strong league, whose member clubs include the Nottinghamshire Police, Caribbean Cavaliers, Boots Athletic and Siemens, have embarked on a campaign to encourage people from all ethnic backgrounds to become blood donors and, where possible, to join its bone marrow register.

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League secretary, Darrell Parkes explained: "The idea to approach the National Blood Service came from within the Notts Senior League and although footballers are probably more associated with pints of a very different nature, we’re delighted to become the first football competition in the country to work with the organisation in this way.

"Our member clubs will be taking the ‘Give Blood’ message out into their local communities and through the workplace," continued Parkes. "Our aim over the initial 12 months is to recruit as many new blood and bone marrow donors as possible.

"There will also be an alternative league table measuring how each team performs, with the club that introduces the highest number of new donors receiving £1,000 worth of football equipment from our sponsors, uhlsport UK."

Helen Shepherd, spokesperson for the National Blood Service, said: "This initiative will have a big impact on the local community and shows that the uhlsport Notts Senior League really is really committed to our cause.

"This is not about celebrity, but about ordinary people doing extraordinary things in their communities and I look forward to a very successful campaign."

For more information on giving blood, visit http://www.blood.co.uk/