Or why hedgehogs will never walk alone ….

When I was a kid I was taken to see Liverpool play at Anfield - one of my friends was a mad keen supporter and this was his birthday present. It remains the only top-flight football game I have ever seen. Even then I was a natural supporter of the underdog, there I was age around 10, cheering for Sunderland in the home team supporters' zone!! 

For all the photos, please pop over to the Substack version, thanks.

Wait, I have just been getting a message from my friend who supports Arsenal, attempting to fact-check this article as I am writing … 

Well, I have to break it to the Gunners, you LOST - in fact you did not even make it to the final - the runners up were Northampton Town FC, beaten 39-36 by Liverpool!

Okay, I should explain. Back in November, the Hedgehog Friendly Football League was launched. Starting with 32 clubs, competing not by scoring goals, but by carrying out hedgehog-friendly activities and conservation actions.

In the final (which lasted six-weeks) Liverpool really went wild for hedgehogs - from ensuring all their mowers had BHPS ‘check’ stickers in place, to running an employee volunteer day at the allotment to learn about making it more hedgehog-friendly. Staff, including men’s first team player Milos Kerkez, celebrated World Earth Day, creating space for hedgehogs and bees at their allotment site.

The Reds even spent time educating staff and Liverpool FC Women players Beata Olsson and Cornelia Kapocs on hedgehog rehabilitation - including how to safely handle a rescued ‘hog and placing hedgehog houses in their own orchard at the AXA Training Centre.

Northampton Town also played well throughout the final, gaining support across its Men’s,

Women’s and Academy teams, sharing campaign content across social media, and even seeing former-interim manager Colin Calderwood wear a BHPS badge during a televised interview. Mascot Clarence the Dragon also promoted the campaign during matchdays.

Fay Vass, Chief Executive at BHPS said: “Huge congratulations to Liverpool for their amazing work in the final – a well-deserved win! 

“While there may not be many hedgehogs at the stadiums, this is a great opportunity to make the most of training grounds and other green spaces - so raising awareness about being mindful of wildlife when we do maintenance or gardening is vital to helping hedgehogs thrive.

“Both clubs in the Hedgehog Cup final pulled out all the stops, and it was brilliant to see so much support for hedgehogs across the competition. 

“We’d like to thank Northampton Town for their valiant efforts in getting so many players, staff and youth teams involved. 

“Hedgehog numbers are in serious decline and it’s more important than ever that we stand together to help protect their welfare and habitats. Initiatives like the Hedgehog Cup and Hedgehog Friendly Football League help make a real difference for hedgehogs.”

Rishi Jain, Director of Impact at Liverpool Football Club, said: “It's been great taking part in this initiative, and the club's success reflects a collective effort, particularly through the work taking place every day at the AXA Training Centre and Academy to help create spaces where hedgehogs and other local wildlife can feel safe and thrive.

"Biodiversity and nature are two of the essential parts of The Red Way, and the commitment shown by colleagues across the club, led by the efforts of our Grounds Team, continues to make a positive impact across all club sites."

The Hedgehog Cup and the wider Hedgehog Friendly Football League campaign aim to promote hedgehog-friendly groundskeeping practices. Clubs are encouraged to place “Check for Hedgehogs Before Use” stickers on grounds maintenance machinery and inspire fans to make their own gardens and green spaces more welcoming habitat for hedgehogs.

In the face of all this I am beginning (50 years late!) to feel some remorse at supporting Sunderland!

Find more information on point scoring activities and Cup Rules here.

Photos at the top are of Mikos Kerkez from Liverpool, and members of the Northampton Town FC junior team.