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'Being part of Homeless World Cup was life-changing'

Stuart WhincupNorth East and Cumbria, Middlesbrough
News imageSTUART WHINCUP BBC The goalkeeper, in a blue top and black top, starts to dive to his right to stop the ball from going into the goal. Players in orange and red strips can be seen in the background.STUART WHINCUP BBC
Players from across the north of England competing for a place in the Homeless World Cup

Footballers across the north of England have been given the chance to represent their country in next year's Homeless World Cup in Mexico.

Trials for the men's England team have taken place in Middlesbrough, where players from Teesside, Newcastle and Liverpool tried to impress the watching scouts.

To qualify for selection, players have to have recently experienced homelessness, have refugee status, or be in a drug rehabilitation scheme.

More than 500 players will compete in the tournament which aims to change the way homelessness is seen, understood and discussed.

News imageSTUART WHINCUP/BBC Craig McManus looks at the camera. He's wearing a black Street Soccer tracksuit. A match is going on behind him.STUART WHINCUP/BBC
Craig McManus is the manager of the England men's team and says the Homeless World Cup ''changed his life ''

Craig McManus works for Middlesbrough Football Club and is the manager of the England Homeless team.

He played for Scotland in the 2016 Homeless World Cup and said the experience changed his life.

''I battled addiction for many years and it got the better of me. I became homeless and was sleeping in the streets in Edinburgh.''

He said he started playing football again, and began exercising, with the support of an organisation called Street Soccer.

He went on to captain the Scotland team and believes it was a crucial moment in his recovery.

''To stand here today and be part of it - I feel grateful, privileged and lucky," he said.

'Grateful, privileged and lucky'

Around 80 people took part in the trials on Friday - and while some dreamed of being picked to play for England, others were just delighted to be back playing football again.

Ryan Curtis said he had struggled with addiction ''for the best part of 20 years", adding he had been "clean for eighteen months''.

News imageSTUART WHINCUP/BBC Ryan looks at the camera, standing on the sidelines. He's wearing a bright orange football stripSTUART WHINCUP/BBC
Ryan Curtis says playing football has helped him find 'new friends and feel part of something.'

Playing football again has given him a purpose, he said.

''I used to love playing when I was younger, before I fell into addiction. Since I got through it though, I just love being back on a football pitch.

"It's given me a place to find new friends and be part of something.''

The charity Street Soccer said the trials were about discovering the ''incredible talent and potential across the country, and giving more people the chance to be part of something life-changing".