Leeds United star Sam Byram has been getting involved in the EFL Week of Action, joining our local veteran’s group at Elland Road ahead of our dedicated Remembrance fixture this weekend.

The Leeds United Foundation hosted an extra-special session for the group of veterans that meet every week, giving them a tour around the stadium before they were able to catch up with the Whites defender in the changing rooms.

Together with Byram, the group talked about the topic of change, along with the similar emotions and feelings involved with being a football player and being in the armed forces, discussing the importance of camaraderie and being able to rely on those around you during the good times and especially the bad.

Sam Byram spoke to LUTV during the event and said: “It has been great to come down today and I’ve had a good chat with them all and speaking to some of the staff it was clear how important it is for them to have a group and have somewhere to come and be with likeminded people and people they can relate to. They’re a great group of guys and I think it’s great to see what the club and foundation are doing for them.

“It’s so hard to imagine what they’ve been through and some of the scenarios they’ve been in but to be able to come and speak with them and spend some time with them has been really good, and it puts everything into perspective and makes you feel grateful for being here.

“A lot of players when they finish playing say that the thing they miss the most is that togetherness and team spirit and being with your friends every day, and they’ve all said today that that is similar for them, so for them to be able to come here once a week is great and something they clearly all look forward to.”

If there are any servicemen or women that would like to get involved in the weekly Combat Café sessions at Elland Road that take place on a Wednesday from 10.30am, you are always welcome. With the support of Sporting Force, the sessions are key in ensuring veterans are looking after their mental and physical health, and that they still feel part of a community and are not suffering from social isolation.

To enquire or for any further information around the programme, please contact [email protected].

You can take a look at the video from the visit here.