Football gets a bad rep. From racism to rolling around on the floor, ridiculous wages to rubbish behaviour. Many different aspects of football are scrutinised within the wider context of society.
However, for every story about an old, hairless scouser drink-driving with party girls while his wife is pregnant at home (yes Rooney, we are talking about you), there’s a story of good, waiting to melt your heart and dampen your eyes. Here at FBG, we have found a rare gem which fits the latter.
It comes from up in the North East; and no, it’s not Mike Ashley finally putting all those Geordies out of their misery by leaving Newcastle. Instead, it originates slightly further south of St James’ Park at a little-known club called East Durham FC.
Coach and fellow Adidas Predator-lover, Mick Gray, has been instrumental in developing the club which now boasts teams at nine different age groups, and he continues to make the 40-mile round trip multiple times a week for the love of the game.
But with the area seeing many businesses close, the economic impact has sadly spilled over to football. Enter Mick, who set up a scheme to collect old football boots and supply them to those in need who potentially cannot afford to buy them themselves.
‘I had the boot drive idea while thinking about my son’s boots.
‘Kids rarely wear their boots out, they are either grown out of or simply replaced for a new season.
‘Lots of kids just want to play, but their family simply can’t afford it… Football should be for everyone.’
Football should absolutely be for everyone, but the sad reality is that it is not. This is why we want to promote Mick’s cause as much as we can. So far, having collected for just short of one month, 60 pairs of boots consisting of all different sizes have been donated. Due to the positive reaction, the scheme has been opened up to all types of football equipment, and has since collected 200 new pairs of socks, shin pads and even some goalkeeper padding kit.
Mick’s been working hard posting where he can to try to raise awareness for the initiative. Being a Newcastle fan, we are sure he’s used to success evading him, but despite hitting a few obstacles, he has secured the backing of one big name.
‘I have tried to get in touch with as many North East pros as possible but the response hasn’t been great.
‘The one shining light has been ex-Newcastle keeper Steve Harper, who has helped at every ask.
Newcastle legend supports local boot drive initiative ‘He has even promised to send me his son’s boots.’
The former St James’ Park keeper spent 20 years at Newcastle where he amassed 157 appearances for the club. His impressive stint culminated in a tearful Harper receiving a warming ovation in the 37th minute (his squad number) in his final game against Arsenal.
In a match against Everton in 2013, he persuaded referee Mike Jones to not book Victor Anichebe for a late tackle, which shows just the type of person he is and makes his participation in Mick’s boot drive unsurprising.
So if you want to join Steve Harper and get involved with this fantastic scheme or even want a little more information, feel free to follow East Durham FC on Twitter or Facebook, or alternatively contact us via this site.
Twitter: twitter.com/EastDurhamFC
Facebook: facebook.com/Eastdurhamfc
It is not often we put our serious caps on, but when we saw this cause we felt we had to mention it. Fair play to Mick and everyone else who has helped gather up football gear to enable kids to play the game that they love.
If you know any other heroes out there like Mick who are working towards a great cause in football, give us a shout and we will try help out the best we can.
