DERRY BOY SAVED BY SOCCER BONDS
Credit: Dan Higginson
Twenty-one-year-old Thomas Brown was living in a hostel in Derry, Northern Ireland when he discovered street soccer, which was to set him on his path to the 2023 Homeless World Cup in Sacramento, California.
His story, however, started when he was nineteen. “Family life wasn’t too good and I kind of needed to get out,” he recalls. “It was probably for the best for the whole family back then.”
Despite the emotive circumstances that led to him moving out, Thomas has achieved a positivity from living in the hostel and appreciates the support from the staff there.
“They’re great. [When they heard I was] coming over here they gave me a gift of over $100 and a card signed by everyone. That meant a lot to me so I’m very grateful.”
Indeed it was directly through the hostel that he got into street soccer.
“One of the coaches was very influential for me. At the time I didn’t have much going on, not much happening for me,” he reflects. “Street soccer gave me a place to go and socialise. I didn’t really have many friends at the time. [The coach] chose to send me to the trials and I was lucky to get selected [for the Homeless World Cup team].”
Trials and training for the Homeless World Cup lasted around six weeks, time which gave Thomas the chance to bond with his teammates through social events like meals out and even doing an obstacle course; activities that built a strong bond between his teammates, the players and coaches.
Watching the team and coaches interact, it’s clear the social bonds of the training have been as important as the football. The Northern Ireland team come across as a tight-knit group, hanging out together in between matches.
Thomas explains that the football was also taken very seriously during the training. “The trials were pretty intense, to be fair. To the point where they were harder than some of our games [have been in the Homeless World Cup tournament]!” he laughs ruefully. “The coaches pushed us very hard. The trials were very intense but all the same very enjoyable.”
And how has Thomas found his first Homeless World Cup?
“We’ve had a very good squad for the tournament. We’re not the most talented but one thing we have going for us is we’re a really good group and that allows us to work well together. As a unit we’ve just worked so well.”
Thomas is clearly a man who takes fitness seriously - so it’s no surprise when he reveals he works at a gym back home as a personal trainer, something he finds really rewarding. “I love helping people,” he enthuses.
Like many when they first experience the Homeless World Cup, it’s clear that the tournament has left its mark on Thomas, who vows to stay involved in street soccer when he gets home. What else is he looking forward to back in Derry?
“To the rain,” he jokes, referring to the dry, hot Californian weather to which many of his fellow Celts are unaccustomed. Then he turns serious. “Family life’s a lot better now. It’ll be nice to see family again, get back to old routines. I miss my job, my family, my girlfriend and my dog.”
Sacramento became Northern Ireland’s most successful tournament to date, in terms of rankings, with the men’s team finishing eighth overall, something Thomas attributes to both physical and mental preparation.
This success, however, has been about much more than the sport for Thomas. It’s centred around being part of a team and making the social connections he was lacking back when he first became involved. And that, he’s adamant, has been the secret of their success.
“It’s been more than just a football team really. It’s a great group of lads and a great chance for us to get really close. I think that’s the reason we’ve done so well.”
Words: Alex Gunn