First trials for Homeless World Cup outside London

A North East town has hosted the "first ever" Team England trials for the Homeless World Cup outside London.

The tournament, organised by MFC Foundation and Street Soccer London, took place at Middlesbrough's Sports Village.

Participants came from Liverpool, Newcastle, Gateshead, Hartlepool, Sunderland, Stockton and Middlesbrough.

Middlesbrough Mayor Chris Cooke said the local authority was proud to hold the event.

"Football is in the town's DNA and to see it used as a force for good was inspiring. The whole event showed off Middlesbrough at our best," he said.

Homeless people, or those who have been homeless, were eligible for the competition.

The council said it was the "first time ever" that trials for Team England had been held outside London

Teams were split into three groups for the tournament, the winners of which - Hackney Tactics, Holgate Army and Teesside Reds - received a trophy.

Frankie Juma, head coach of the England team, will be part of a committee which will select eight players to represent England at the next Homeless World Cup in Oslo in August.

Mr Juma said: "I don't know how we're going to do it.

"There are some seriously good players here. We have some big decisions to make and we'll have to make them by next week."

England were beaten finalists last year when the tournament was held in Seoul, South Korea.

They were managed then by Craig McManus, Acting Head of MFC Foundation, who had played for Scotland in the tournament in 2016.

He will again be in charge this year.

"Today's event means so much to me, personally," he said.

"We can empathise with the players today. The tournament is important, of course it is, but we need to help everyone find a pathway to support.

"We asked everyone to show respect to each other today, to talk with each other, to help.

"I don't think we needed to, there was a special atmosphere created by the participants.

"You could see that on the pitch and hearing it when walking around mixing with everyone."

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