A friend and I did a 750mile charity walk two years ago via all twenty premiership clubs to raise money for a national charity that helps people with learning difficulties.

Having spent a huge amount of time and effort organising the walk, not to mention the 27 days of torture (30miles a day) the attitude of some clubs was extremely disappointing.

I must say that over half were very accommodating - showed us around the stadium and donated a signed shirt or ball to be auctioned. However, a couple of clubs were unwilling to help at all and barely acknowledged any attempts to make contact, while a few others did their best to palm us off with excuses and empty promises.

Particular mentions must go to Chelsea (the richest club) and Charlton (the self-pro-claimed caring community club) whose football in the community departments were insistant at their inability to help despite our charity finding contacts within the club.

As lifelong football fans, it was certainly an interesting insight to the level of care and support offered by clubs.

It would be wrong to deny that clubs help their communities in other ways than by just giving cash to charity. Players sign shirts and auction them off. They visit hospitals and turn up at charity fundraising events. And the clubs themselves often run 'football in the community' schemes. 

But we don't think that's enough.

Charities need cash above all else to function. Any individual or organization that truly wants to help a good cause should give money to it.  If you're prepared to help out by doing everything but giving money, then you should be doing more.

It's as simple as that.

Many of the schemes run by clubs are of great value, but they all stop short of showing a full commitment to supporting the community.  Such rich companies - because that's what clubs are - should give something back. And the odd signed shirt isn't enough.

Adam, Intelligent Giving

The amount of money that this article claim Premiership clubs give to charity is unbelievable. It appears to me that one must take into account a range of other factors to truly assess clubs charitable generosity.

Does it make sense to ignore the charitable trusts? What about football in the community? I know next to nothing about this subject but I refuse to believe that my beloved Arsenal gave only £26,795 to good causes last year.

Sal

In response to your article on fat cat clubs, I would like to respond in support of Liverpool football club who have supported our local church and consequently the local kids and community on several occasions in financial and other ways, by return post, no questions asked.

 Additionally the self-proclaimed People's Club, Everton FC have as yet not even found time or had the courtesy to respond to any approaches for support. By the way, Everton FC are a mere stones throw from the church, Liverpool are much further away.