Street Soccer

When Carl joined Street Soccer he was sleeping rough on the streets, smoking drugs, stealing to get by and continually in trouble with the police. 

“At Street Soccer I’ve met new friends. I’ve enjoyed the football training every week and I’ve had support from Andy and the other volunteers in lots of ways, especially when I was in court.” says Carl.  “Making new friends and improving on my football skills is what I enjoy most, but, Street Soccer is great for people like me as they give advice on work issues, help in getting out of homelessness, and by providing friendship.”

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Jason says he was doing nothing with his time before joining Street Soccer. “ I was on the edges of the law, awaiting sentencing for a charge a while ago, and was struggling with anger issues and situations of violence” 

Over a year ago a friend from the Salvation Army hostel brought Jason along to Street Soccer Bolton. “Street Soccer stopped me from going to jail and has given me a focus during my week. I’ve been encouraged to adopt a positive attitude to training which is something I’ve tried to apply to my life generally. It’s helped me to calm down and enabled me to channel my aggression and frustrations in a positive way. I’ve learned to walk away from situations rather than getting involved. I have significantly changed during my time at Street Soccer and this project has given me hope for my future.” adds Jason.   

“I enjoy having a laugh, being around positive influences and Street Soccer provides something to look forward to and has linked me in with South Manchester Ambassadors FC. I have particularly enjoyed going into Forest Bank to play the inmates and it has been a further motivation for me to keep my nose clean and not go back to jail.”

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Born in London, on a rough estate, Sean often got into trouble with the police, attacked on a few occasions and lived a life of booze, drugs and parties. After starting work as a Kitchen Porter Sean got a job as a chef. “I got my own flat, but I was burgled and got stabbed. I had been through so much by then that I had to move to Manchester to start a fresh life”, says Sean

 “A friend introduced me to Street  Soccer and I’ve got to know a new group of lads which has given me something positive to be involved in and something to look forward to. The staff can help organise getting people the right help or contacts for sorting out work, training, or housing. The attitude and commitment of the whole Street Soccer team is wonderful, and I’m pleased to be involved and think it’s something positive for the future.”

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Pete moved to Manchester in 2001 due to personal problems he faced in Ireland. At first sleeping on the streets of Manchester and then a variety of hostels in Manchester and Bolton before finally sorting out a flat in Hulme, Manchester.

When asked how Street Soccer has impacted his life, Pete replied “I’ve met loads of good lads and met lots of people that have changed my life.” Pete managed to kick his drug habits and start going straight thanks to the support of his new found  friendship group.

Pete arrived at Street Soccer as a rough sleeper with no job, friends or stability in his life. He spent   approximately 18 months attending the Manchester project and now has a full-time job, a great flat and a new group of friends who have had a really positive impact on his life.  Even at the age of 45 Pete has joined a local football team who he trains with and plays for on a weekly basis.

When asked how Street Soccer can particularly help disadvantaged and vulnerable men he replied “Street Soccer gets them into good company, helps keep them away from drugs, it can get them fit, and give them more self-esteem.”

Pete is a great example and offers hope to other men who join the project with chaotic lives. He is a clear demonstration of how Street Soccer can help support disadvantaged men from the point of desperation to real hope and rehabilitation.