A number of Premier League players have, this evening, announced their part in the Players Together collective, aiming to provide the NHS with funding as they tackle the coronavirus pandemic, including a number of Watford players.

Christian Kabasele, Adam Masina, Kiko Femenia, Troy Deeney, Adrian Mariappa, Andre Gray, Ignacio Pussetto, Abdoulaye Doucoure, Tom Cleverley, Gerard Deulofeu Ben Foster, Isaac Success, Jose Holebas, Daniel Bachmann and Domingos Quina were among the list of names from the Hornets playing squad to use social media to reveal that they will be part of the initiative, which claims to be creating a "contribution fund that can be used to distribute money to where it's needed most" during the Covid-19 crisis.

Deeney is also reported to be administering the fund alongside Liverpool’s Jordan Henderson, Manchester United’s Harry Maguire and West Ham’s Mark Noble. 

All the players involved in the collective revealed the same post across their social media channels at 9pm on Wednesday evening, which showed a statement prepared on behalf of the group of players, pledging to work with NHS Charities Together (NHSCT) to "generate and distribute funds quickly".

The full statement reads: "Over the course of the last week we, as a group of Premier League players, have held numerous talks together with the vision of creating a contribution fund that can be used to distribute money to where it's needed most in this COVID19 crisis; helping those fighting for us on the NHS frontline as well as other key areas of need. This is a critical time for our country and for our NHS, and we are determined to help in any way that we can.

We can confirm that after extensive conversations between a huge number of players from all Premier League clubs we have created our own collective player initiative, #PlayersTogether, and have partnered with NHS Charities Together (NHSCT) in order to assist them in generating and distributing funds quickly and efficiently to where they are needed most. 

NHSCT is the national umbrella organisation for over 150 registered NHS charities, working closely with the Charity Commission, Department of Health and Social Care, and NHS England to represent, champion, and support the NHS' official charities. NHSCT are the official charity partner of the NHS nationally.

The contributions that this initiative will generate will help NHSCT quickly grant funds to the front line to support in a number of ways, including to help enhance the well-being of NHS staff, volunteers and patients impacted by COVID-19 as well as helping them in their work supporting many other critical areas of need both now and in the longer term.

#PlayersTogether is about we, as players, collaboratine together to create a voluntary initiative, separate to any other club and league conversations, that can help get much needed funds to those that need it right now. To try and help, along with so many others in the country, make a real difference. 

Our prayers and thoughts go out to everybody affected by this crisis. By sticking together we will get through this.

Stay home. Protect the NHS. Save lives."

Chief executive of NHSCT, Ellie Orton, described the initiative as "fantastic" and said it would raise "vital funds" for the NHS while inspiring others to do the same.

She said: "It will make a huge difference to us to have the players on board and sends an amazing message of support to the NHS staffr and volunteers working so tirelessly to save lives and keep our friends and families safe and well.

"I can't wait to get working with the players to look at where their support can make the biggest difference, so thank you to them for coming together like this, we are all really excited by the possibilities it creates for the appeal."