Manchester hosts Salvation Army’s UK-wide homelessness football tournament

A UK-wide football tournament for people who are rebuilding their lives after being homeless is kicking off at 11.00am today in Manchester.

The Partnership Trophy will see teams from Salvation Army ‘Lifehouses’ across the country – including ones in Belfast, London and Cardiff, competing for the coveted trophy.

Ex-Celtic and Wales international footballer and TV pundit John Hartson is the special guest at this year’s tournament which is taking place at Goals in Manchester.

He will be cheering the teams along, motivating and encouraging the players with his life story during a special lunchtime question and answer session and handing out medals and trophies.

“The Salvation Army strongly and passionately believes in people and in the positive and life-affirming benefits - both physically and mentally, of exercise and taking part in sport”, said Major Howard Russell, Deputy Territorial Director of the Salvation Army’s Homelessness Services Unit.

“At our Lifehouse centres, we support residents to rebuild their confidence and gain new life skills by encouraging them to exercise and take part in sports.

“This is because the Salvation Army understands that you can’t tackle homelessness and its causes and help people to break the cycle of homelessness by just providing them with a bed.

“We’re also very excited to have John Hartson joining us this year and to hearing his inspirational stories about life on and off the pitch during and after his career as a professional footballer”, added Major Russell.