Millwall Community Trust has named Merle Redhead Ling as their 2026 Premier League Community Captain, recognising her outstanding commitment to young people across Lewisham and Southwark.
This year’s Premier League More Than A Game campaign marks the 20th anniversary of Premier League Kicks, a nationwide initiative giving young people aged 10–18 access to high‑quality coaching and safe spaces to play.
To mark the campaign, each club has named their own Community Captain, recognising an individual who has been positively impacted by the programme and continues to inspire others.
In 2025, Millwall’s Premier League Kicks programme has seen 1,123 Kicks participants on out Kicks programmes across Lewisham and Southwark with 600+ attending 70 hours over the year.
Nationally, Premier League Kicks has supported more than 600,000 young people at over 5,000 venues across England and Wales, using the power of football to inspire confidence, resilience and positive life choices in underserved communities.
Merle Redhead Ling said: “I am extremely proud to have received the award. It recognises not just my work but the Community Trust’s work to support our local community.”
MCT’s Community Manager, Joubin Sarrami added: “The commitment and efforts of Merle Redhead Ling have been outstanding as part of Millwall’s Premier League projects, which include Primary Stars, Inspires and Kicks programme and the award is testament to all her hard work and dedication to helping improve our local community.”
