EXCLUSIVE
classy
Danny Graham EXCLUSIVE: Blackburn Rovers striker on creating special bespoke kit for NHS and raising money for frontline workers amid coronavirus pandemic
Blackburn Rovers striker Danny Graham has raised over £8,000 for NHS heroes who are battling the coronavirus pandemic by raffling sports memorabilia he’s gathered from his professional career.
He doesn’t intend to stop there either, and as well as raffling match worn shirts or boots that he’s gathered or been sent by teammates, he’s now designing a special concept kit for the NHS through his clothing company Fugati.
Seven bespoke designs have been created and Graham is asking fans to pick a winner on his Instagram page, which he will sign and frame, before donating it to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in his hometown Gateshead - alongside all the other funds he’s raised.
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Graham is not the only Rovers player to do commendable work during these unprecedented times, with midfielder Bradley Johnson teaming up with Dexter Blackstock to supply PPE Equipment to key workers.
In fact, it was his colleague's good work which made the striker question how he could get involved.
Speaking exclusively to talkSPORT, Graham said: “I’ve seen a lot of good work within football. We were talking before about Bradley Johnson and Dexter Blackstock and what they’ve done for the NHS and the list is endless. So, the idea came from that.
“I sat down and spoke to family members about it and we got in touch with the Queen Elizabeth Hospital to let them know we were thinking about doing stuff.
"When they got back to us, they were over the moon with the idea.
“So far, it’s raised a lot of money and it’s going well. I’ve got Bradley Dack’s top on at the minute, which he signed and sent up to me, and I think that’s raised over £1000 in raffles.
'I’ve got a big one which I’m going to do towards the end of the fundraising page in a couple of weeks which I’m keeping under wraps. I think that one will raise a lot of money.
“It’s all for a great cause and it allows the fans to get some sports memorabilia which, hopefully, they’ll treasure.”
On the special bespoke kit he'll donate to the NHS, Graham added: “With me being off, having this time at home has pushed me towards the Fugati side of it. We’re a bespoke kit supplier and we do sportswear, leisurewear, gym wear and whatnot.
“I thought what better idea than to design a few kits for the NHS and let the fans decide what one they think is best.
"Then, we’re going to get it signed and framed and give it to the hospital. It’s a nice little touch and it’s moving along nicely, so I’m pleased with it all.”
Graham has really found a place to call home in Ewood Park since joining the club in 2016. What presided before that was a difficult few years at Sunderland, which saw the striker struggling to recapture the form he showed at Swansea City.
He scored just once in 42 appearances for all competitions for the Black Cats, often being cast aside by the various managers who occupied the hotseat at the Stadium of Light, before eventually forcing his way back into their plans.
But at Blackburn, Graham has been given the opportunity to thrive, just like he did with Watford in the Football League.
Graham's goals helped Rovers return to the Championship via automatic promotion in 2018 after relegation a year beforehand, before stabilising in the division last season.
Now, he wants to help the former Premier League champions return to the top flight.
“The spell I had at Sunderland was really tough,” he explained.
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“It probably drained a lot out of me and [I had] probably some of the lowest points of my career. It wasn’t through lack of trying as I was giving my all. The home move just didn’t seem to click or get into gear.
“It was tough times and then I was out on loan a few times. I ended up going to Blackburn on loan in late January [2016] and I think I scored seven in the last 18 games or so. It felt really homely and felt like the best place to be and looking back, it was a great decision to sign [permanently].
“When I first signed, we got relegated to League One and it was all doom and gloom and there were protests at the ground against the owners. It was tough times.
"The League One season was great and seemed to get everyone back on side. The fans came in their numbers and we seemed to grow together, which was a pleasing thing.
“There’s not so much talk about the owners now and it’s more concentrating on the football side of things and getting behind the team, which is certainly helping the team. If the season does get underway and we do get in the Play Offs, then it’s a lottery and we’ve got a right chance to get back into the Premier League.
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“To get relegated, bounce back straight away and then to get into the Play Offs and go to the Premier League, would be an amazing feeling and hopefully, that can happen at some point.
"If we did get back up, I’d definitely feel as though as I had a point to prove and it would be great to be a part of that with Blackburn Rovers.”
Rovers boss Tony Mowbray’s impact has certainly had a lot to do with Blackburn’s upturn in fortunes and Graham finished by explaining how the former Middlesbrough manager is one of the best he’s worked under in his career to date.
“He’s up there. Probably the majority of my time at Blackburn has been spent under Tony and we’ve had a good relationship, on and off the pitch,” he added.
“He’s a Middlesbrough guy and I live in the Middlesbrough area, so he’s great to have around the place and great for the boys.
"I think after the relegation, we’ve only gone from strength and strength and a lot of that is down to Tony and his team.”
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