Liverpool Homeless Football Club in fundraising drive for match against World Cup team

A football club for homeless people is currently raising money for passports to play the Irish Homeless World Cup team in a friendly.

Liverpool Homeless Football Club are an organisation in Liverpool that provides aid for marginalised men and women who experience homelessness. They compete in their Spirit of Merseyside 5-a-side league at PowerLeague Liverpool.

The charity was founded in 2007 and was set up with the idea that sport is a vehicle for change. The Homeless World Cup has been an inspiration in bringing football and social change together.

Keith Heckingbottom, the football co-ordinator for the charity, spoke about the trip to Ireland and the importance of this experience.

Heckingbottom said: “We've been invited over to Ireland, so what we will do as a charity is we'll pay for the lads and the girls flights.

“But we're looking for people to help these guys get their passports because these people don't really have anything, so we can give them a little bit of life experience different, getting away from their day-to-day.”

The Irish Homeless World Cup Women’s team won the 2024 tournament in Seoul, beating USA 5-2. The Men’s team finished in eighth place following a defeat to Northern Ireland.

Talking about the relationship with the Irish team, Heckingbottom said: “We had good dealings with the Irish Homeless World Cup team and we basically just sat down and came to a bit an agreement [on football’s importance].

“I would say no matter your circumstance, whether you are homeless, whether you are a multi-millionaire, once you come together on that football pitch you’re an equal and to be seen as an equal among your peers. It's massive.”

When the teams arrive in Ireland, the match will be a 4v4, with one goalkeeper. During the game, one attacking player must be in the opposition half at all times to create a three on two attack, the same rules that are used at the Homeless World Cup.

Commenting on the importance of the charity, Heckingbottom said: “It's a little bit of stability for people. The services are there to support people suffering from isolation and homelessness.”

Liverpool Homeless Football Club hold drop-in sessions for men and women on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at Liverpool PowerLeague.

The link to donate for passports is here: https://liverpoolhomelessfootballclub.com/