A charity football match between teams comprising staff and people who benefit from local homelessness charities and Man On, from Watford FC’s Community Sports & Education (CSE) Trust, was held at the club’s London Colney training ground on Friday, October 10.
The match got the ball rolling to promote the annual Stadium Sleep Out hosted at Watford FC’s Vicarage Road Stadium through Watford FC CSE Trust and co-delivered by Dacorum Emergency Night Shelter (DENS), Herts Young Homeless (HYH), New Hope and One YMCA.
The match welcomed staff and volunteers from the homelessness charities, and for service users – many of whom have experience of rough sleeping – who took part. It was a competitive but friendly affair, which provided passion and purpose, as well as a little perspiration and inspiration, but ended with an 8-0 win for Man On.
The homelessness charities could stake a claim to the glory, however, as two goals were scored by a New Hope member of staff who was playing for Man On. But, in true Olympic spirit, it wasn’t the winning or the scoring but the taking part that really mattered.
One of the DENS players said: “It’s been great. We’ve had six weeks in the build-up, and we’re slowly getting there. We’re not really fit enough yet, but we really enjoyed the day. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Thanks to everyone for letting us come.”
Jonny, an outreach worker from DENS, added: “We want to keep the football going. We started with two people in training and now have 13. They really enjoy it and feel a lot better after a session. We’ve loved having something to train for and aspire to.”
One of the New Hope players said it was “great exercise for a good cause and lots of fun”.
The Stadium Sleep Out will take place next year from February 27 to 28, and is an exciting and rare opportunity for people to experience what Watford FC’s Vicarage Road stadium is like when all the matchday fans have gone home.
Participants will be swapping the comfort of their beds for sleeping bags overlooking the pitch from the Rookery Stand. During the evening, the event will feature special guests and ambassadors from charities in attendance providing information and awareness on homelessness, as well as a range of different activities including hot food and refreshments.
The headline sponsor for the Stadium Sleep Out is Warner Bros. of Leavesden and TopGolf Watford is also chipping in with its support as is Storm Procurement of Croxley Park and ABN Cleaning.
If you want to be part of the Sleep Out, visit www.watfordfccsetrust.com/stadium-sleepout
Photo credit: John Griffith of Social Video UK
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