Huddersfield Town

Image source, EFL

A new initiative highlighting the work of football club charities has been launched by the English Football League (EFL).

'Scan to Smile' will be rolled out in stadiums across the EFL from Friday until the end of January, with supporters invited to scan QR codes on posters displayed around grounds.

Each scan will unlock a short, uplifting story from a person whose life has been positively impacted by the support of their local club charity.

The subjects tackled include mental health support, combating loneliness, improving physical wellbeing, employability and confidence.

The EFL said it hoped the initiative would use "the reach and influence of football to offer fans a moment of positivity on matchday".

Trevor Birch, chief executive at the EFL, said: "Behind every club are people whose lives have been positively changed through the work and dedication of their local EFL club charity.

"This initiative gives supporters the chance to see that impact first-hand and reminds us that football truly is a force for good."

Image source, Shutterstock

Plymouth Argyle head coach Tom Cleverley has paid tribute to Bali Mumba after he left the club.

The 24-year-old has joined League One rivals Huddersfield Town for an undisclosed fee after three-and-a-half years at Home Park.

Mumba helped Argyle win the League One title while on loan in 2023 before joining permanently that summer for £1m from Norwich City.

He played 170 times for the Pilgrims, scoring nine goals in the process.

"Bali's been a fantastic servant for the club, he's a great person," Cleverley told BBC Radio Devon.

"The big thing about Bali is he's always been available, his injury record's very clear.

"But he just didn't manage to get the confidence or the final product without scoring a goal for us this season, which he'll be keen to - but that's someone else's responsibility to develop now.

"We're disappointed we didn't get it out of him, but [he's been] a great servant for the club.

"We're losing a good person first and foremost, but sometimes a transfer works for all three parties - selling club, buying club and individual."

League Two MK Dons are set to pull off a coup with the signing of Huddersfield midfielder Ben Wiles, 26, who will reunite with his former Rotherham boss Paul Warne. (The Mirror, external)

Want more transfer news from the EFL? Take a look at Thursday's gossip column here.

Championship clubs including Watford and Bristol City are on high alert as Chelsea attacking midfielder Leo Castledine could be sold. The 20-year-old has starred on loan at League One Huddersfield, scoring 12 goals in 27 appearances, but has a January break clause in his deal and is out of contract in the summer. (The Athletic, external)

Want more transfer news from the EFL? Take a look at Wednesday's gossip column here.