Anfield dream comes true for Belfast youngsters

Val Thom , Church Army Community Evangelist in the Parish of Greater Shankill, is set to make the dreams of over 40 football mad young people come true with a visit to Anfield next month sponsored by St Andrews Church Glencairn and Liverpool FC. Church Army’s Scott McDonald, also based in Belfast, is part of the organising team along with Trevor Douglas of St Andrew’s Church.

Last summer youngsters, aged between 6-14, most of whom had no particular church connection, had the time of their lives being trained by Liverpool FC coaches.The Church of Ireland Bishop of Connor, Rt Rev Alan Harper joined the kids for a kick-about under the glare of press photographers and TV cameras at Paisley Park, Belfast.

The highlight of this soccer bonanza was the arrival of the FA Cup and the EUFA Cup when the Liverpool FC Chaplin, Bill Bygroves, was in attendance to present prizes and speak to the young people about faith and sport, covering themes of racism, sharing, bullying, drugs and community responsibility.

Things went so well that Bill and the team of community coaches kept in touch with Val and have set up a special visit between 3rd and 6th February which will include a tour of the Anfield museum and the chance to see Liverpool’s home game with Fulham.

Amongst the 40 children travelling to Anfield will be Nathan Peebles (age 13) who is into his second year of treatment for leukaemia. Nathan and his parents, Robert and Christine are thrilled at the opportunity to see their soccer heroes. Nathan comments: “I have been a Liverpool fan for years, but missed out on the visit of the coaches coming to Belfast last summer as I was on holiday. I can’t wait to visit behind the scenes at Anfield, it’s a real dream come true for me.”

Last summer’s soccer coaching scheme had the support of The Church of Ireland Bishop of Connor. The Rt Revd Alan Harper said: “ I am very enthusiastic about this initiative. It is an imaginative way in which the Church can help meet the needs of young people on their home ground. It also gives young people an opportunity to get involved with skills training at the very highest level and was great fun !”

Valerie Thom, Church Army Community Evangelist in the Parish of Greater Shankill and co-ordinator of the visit said: “ This has happened because the Liverpool FC community team responded so positively to the visit last summer and really enjoyed working with the children. I am excited about the work we are doing here with other churches and local groups. This is a positive message to and about the people of this community. Church is not just buildings and Sunday Services; it is about caring for people in all aspects of their lives and showing the love of Christ in a practical way .I hope we have been able to show the young people that we are interested in them and excited about the things they enjoy. ”

Church Army whose motto is sharing faith through words an action is involved in a number of pioneering projects across Northern Ireland, including Streetreach - which mobilises around 400 young people working across 5 areas of inner Belfast to go on the streets to wash windows, weed gardens, pray with people and provide practical love and support to broken and divided communities.