Nottingham’s two anti-gang violence football clubs meet in historic fixture

Real United F.C AJS Productions

Two Nottingham football clubs set up to help tackle youth gangs and violence will be playing against each other this weekend.

Real United facce Unity FC at The Inspire Community Stadium in Stoke Bardolph in the Precision Nottinghamshire Senior League.

The aim of the football clubs being set up was to bring young people from different areas in Nottingham together through the power of football.

Both clubs are set up with teams of young people who play at a semi-professional level.

Roger Henry, executive officer at Real, said: “It should be a really good game, both teams in the league are within each other’s grasps.

 

“Since setting up the these teams there has been a massive reduction of crime in Nottingham, which has come through a collective effort with youth partnerships and the police.”

As well as football training, the club offers workshops, mentors its members about drugs and crime, and helps with future work placements.

It is vital that we raise awareness

Roger’s inspiration for setting up the club in 2008 was due to his own personal experiences of growing up in St Ann’s, and previously being involved in crime and drug abuse.

He said: “After going through the rehabilitation process of rehab I wanted to help others who were from a similar background.”

Around 400 people are expected to attend the game which is part of a groundhopping event – where people from all over the country visit different stadiums and grounds.

Roger said: “It is vital that we raise awareness of knife crime in Nottingham and remind people of the victims of gun violence.”

Unity FC was set up by Morris Samuels, and has been running an education programme to put an end to gang rivalry after the death of 14-year-old Danielle Beccan, who was shot while walking home from the Goose Fair in 2004.

Danielle lived in St’ Ann’s where ex-footballer Morris was also brought up. He continues to steer young people away from anti-social behaviour and towards a brighter future.

Roger received a national award from the Prime minister in 2015 for his outstanding work with individuals to make a change to the community.

Tickets are £3 for entrance to the ground, where there will be hot food and drink, and children under 16 go in for free.

There will also be a raffle with prizes donated by Mercedes Benz in Nottingham.

The game will kick off at 6.15pm on Saturday.

 

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