CCCMMMMOOONNNNN SCOTLAND!!
Scots home in on World Cup glory
JAMES DOHERTY
SCOTLAND has a team with the determination to win the World Cup, and they hope not only to lift a trophy but to lift themselves from a life in the gutter.
The players, who assembled at Hampden Park in Glasgow yesterday, are the Scottish squad for the second Homeless World Cup, taking place in Gothenburg, Sweden, in July.
Backed by representatives of the Old Firm, the players, some of whom have lived on the streets and in hostels, said they were committed to bringing back a trophy and, with it, their self-respect.
The 12-strong squad will represent the Big Issue in Scotland at the finals, competing against similar teams from a further 32 nations. Coached by the former Rangers star Ally Dawson, the Scots face tough opposition, with Manchester United and Real Madrid backing the English and Spanish squads.
But the mood at Hampden was defiant. Phil Garden, 20, of Sighthill, Edinburgh, said family arguments had led to him losing his home. However, since working with the Fairbridge Project in the capital, his life was back on track.
He said: "I’ve played since I was a wee lad and play amateur football. We can bring back the World Cup for Scotland."
Thomas Comrie, 22, from Dennistoun in Glasgow, said: "I hope the experience will be good for me. I’ve already started a coaching course with the SFA, so I hope that continues."
Owen Turner, 23, of Edinburgh, added: "It would be a big achievement and something I could say I did for myself."
Mark Hateley, another former Rangers player, said it was crucial that the Old Firm supported some of the most deprived people in the wider community from which they drew support. "The clubs are out there doing this kind of stuff and giving these kids the backing they deserve," he said.
"They’ve not had many chances, and it’s important that all of Scottish football gets behind them."
Robert Docherty, the head community coach at Celtic, said: "The club is very pro-active and, through its charities, has often supported homeless charities. This is an excellent opportunity for these guys and gives them a chance to go out and represent their country."
Mr Dawson said he hoped the team would not be drawn in a difficult group, as they were last year, and progress to the second stage.
Mel Young, the co-founder of the Big Issue in Scotland and president of the International Network of Streetpapers, said: "There are not many professional footballers that, in the current climate, can say they’ve brought back a trophy from the World Cup, but we hope the lads can do it and give many the kind of self-belief and confidence they’ve never had before."
theres a webite for the event too.... http://www.streetsoccer.org/