Footballing legends show support in tackling homelessness

Footballing legends Kalvin Phillips and Stuart Pearce come together to show support in tackling homelessness

Two England footballing legends, Manchester City’s Kalvin Phillips and former professional footballer and manager Stuart Pearce joined forces to cheer on players at a football tournament for people experiencing homelessness. 

The Salvation Army’s fourteenth annual Partnership Trophy brought 25 teams together from around the United Kingdom to play in a competitive five-a-side tournament to help raise awareness of homelessness, boost morale and improve positive wellbeing and mental health. Both Phillips and Pearce were present on the day cheering on teams which saw Donny Dazzlers from Doncaster crowned winners.

Stuart Pearce blew the starting whistle, at the event held at GOALS in Manchester on Thursday 18th September, as the friendly games began and spoke to players about his own highs and lows in both life and his professional career. He said: “It’s been brilliant - the football environment and the togetherness of all the teams as well - they’ve had a brilliant day. 

“There’s real camaraderie, you’ve got 300 people here, all meeting each other, all likeminded and all for the love of football.” 

The Partnership Trophy, run by The Salvation Army and its subsidiary, Salvation Army Homes, brings together football teams from Lifehouses (hostels), supported housing, outreach programmes and drop-in services, together from around the UK and is one of the many ways that the church and charity promotes positive and independent living for its service users, while reinforcing its message that helping people to move on from homelessness is more than just providing a home.

Nathan Slinn, deputy director of the Homelessness Services Department for The Salvation Army said: “What a fantastic day today has been, one of teamwork and celebration, championing the effects sport can have on mental health and reinforcing our mission of providing so much more than just a roof to people experiencing homelessness. The Partnership Trophy celebrates everyone within our homelessness services, acknowledging the journey they are on and how far they have come whilst also boosting their mental health and supporting them in building friendships and working as a team.”

The Salvation Army strongly believes in helping people tackle the underlying reasons why they became homeless, such as addiction or mental health problems, to ensure they aren’t trapped in a cycle of rough-sleeping and temporary accommodation. 

For the sixth year running the Partnership Trophy was again supported by the Guardiola Sala Foundation (GSF), a humanitarian charity set up by Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola and his family, with Pep a keen supporter of the event having attended himself in 2019. He said: “It’s so encouraging to witness how football can bring people together and help them overcome really tough personal challenges. The Guardiola Sala Foundation is delighted to be a part of this event.” 

Nathan added: “The attendance of footballing legends Pearce and Phillips really gave a boost to everyone involved. We send our heartfelt thanks to them both for their warmth, encouragement and kindness to all players. Big congratulations to winning team Donny Dazzlers from Doncaster Foyer for taking the top spot and to everyone that has been involved with an extra special thanks to Guardiola Sala Foundation and GOALS for again helping us make this event a success.”

The Salvation Army is one of the largest homelessness charities operating in the UK, providing more than 3,000 places for people in Lifehouses (hostels) across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Its subsidiary, Salvation Army Homes, which has been part of The Salvation Army family providing housing services since 1959, has over 4,000 homes, providing people in need of safety, security and opportunities with quality accommodation, helping people on their journey of personal transformation and out of homelessness.