Allardyce and Carroll in community Q&A

Sam Allardyce and Andy Carroll fielded questions during a community event
West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce and striker Andy Carroll met young people looking to make the most of life at a Barclays Premier League event.

Keeping Kids Company and the Bromley By Bow Centre are two local organisations that focus on giving youngsters opportunities to achieve their goals and transform their lives through education, sport and general support, the groups are just two of the community groups supported nationally by Barclays.

Through their sponsor of the Premier League, Barclays host a number of events and initiatives in conjunction with all 20 PL clubs every season, where charities and communities can come together with football and meet their heroes.

The Hammers boss along with No9 Carroll took part in a Q&A, before chatting with the groups about their experiences and how schemes such as these supported by Barclays, have given them a chance that they might not have had otherwise.

A lively question and answer session had Big Sam and Carroll answering questions on what motivates them to do what they do, on the current season and general questions on the world of football. The pair then posed for photographs and signed autographs.

The West Ham manager said he was very impressed with the groups and the event as a whole.

“It is very good for Barclays and the Premier League to bring these events to our clubs, so that football can mix with the community in such a way with these partnerships,” he said.

“It was clear to see that these young people have been given a chance with these groups and the dedicated people who run them and as a result, have positive targets to aim for in life now.”

Carroll who is currently working his way back to fitness following knee surgery in February added: “They were a good group and it was great to meet them. They had some good questions. Our club does a lot in the local community and this is another way of bringing football and everyone together for a good cause.”

Following the Q&A with Big Sam and Carroll, the youngsters then took part in a football skills session outside at the club’s Chadwell heath training coached by the West Ham United Foundation, with players Guy Demel, Morgan Amalfitano and Nene joining them.