Birmingham City to honour life of Arthur Labinjo-Hughes at men and women’s home matches

Birmingham City Football Club will honour the life of Arthur Labinjo-Hughes at Men’s and Women’s home matches later this month for the club’s annual Arthur Matchdays, in aid of the NSPCC.

Arthur, from Solihull, was killed by his step mum Emma Tustin and dad Thomas Hughes aged six in June 2020. The annual dedicated matchdays began last season at the home games closest to Arthur’s birthday (January 4) to celebrate the life of the young supporter, with the image of Arthur wearing his Birmingham City shirt being shown at football grounds across the country following his death.

Tustin was convicted ofmurder andsentenced tolife in prison, with minimum tariff of 29 years behind bars before she can be considered for release. Hughes was sentenced to 24 years for manslaughter.

During the Men’s team clash with Preston North End on Saturday January 21, the Blues players will wear a special one-off kit approved by the Football League, with all club profits from shirt sales going directly to NSPCC Birmingham. The limited-edition jersey will feature an “Arthur 6” emblem in the centre and will be on sale from Monday January 16.

Along with the fundraising from the shirt, one hundred NSPCC x BCFC teddy bears will be available in the club store on Cattell Road, with all proceeds going to the children’s charity.

During the sixth minute of the game, and in the sixth minute of the Women’s match with Sunderland on Sunday January 22, a big screen tribute will be displayed, and supporters are encouraged to take part in a round of applause to celebrate Arthur’s life.

Other fundraising elements across the weekend include an optional donation on the club’s ticketing platform, online auctions of both Men’s and Women’s match worn shirts after the games, and in-stadium bucket collections.

Birmingham City also partnered with Solihull Moors during pre-season to raise further funds for NSPCC Birmingham, with the charity working with Blues throughout the year also.

Tickets for both Men’s and Women’s Arthur Matchdays are available here, and the limited-edition shirts and teddy bears will be on sale from Monday 16^th January in-store and online here.

Ian Dutton, managing director at Birmingham City Football Club, said: “The people of Birmingham will always remember Arthur Labinjo-Hughes, and as a club we want to continue our tradition of celebrating his life. Each year, we want to raise more and more money to support NSPCC Birmingham and to make sure Arthur’s legacy lives on.”

Amanda Synnott, NSPCC Community Fundraising Manager for the West Midlands, said the charity’s CEO Sir Peter Wanless would attend the match on Saturday 21^st January and the organisation was hugely grateful for the club’s support.

Amanda said: “These special matchdays, hosted by Birmingham City Football Club, will not only ensure Arthur is never forgotten but will also highlight the importance that we all play in safeguarding children and young people. I would like to thank Birmingham City Football Club and the club’s supporters for their continued support in helping to keep children safe.

“The NSPCC’s helpline is available for any adults who have concerns about a child. Our Childline service is also available around the clock for children to discuss any concerns they have, at childline.org.uk, or on 0800 1111.”

For more details about the work carried out by the NSPCC please visit www.nspcc.org.uk and to stay up to date with both Arthur Matchdays, follow @bcfc and @bcfcwomen on Twitter.