Grassroots football may be on a necessary pause, but that has not stopped Sunderland creating three of the best community hubs for the sport in England, says Patrick Melia

In normal times, around 1.8 million people participate in some form of football each week across England. Our national game plays an important role in communities, offering a great opportunity for people to get involved in physical activity and enabling a wide range of positive outcomes. And nowhere is that more true than in my city of Sunderland.