A NORTHERN Irish club is coming to England this weekend to take part in a charity football match in Essex – with proceeds going to community projects in the impoverished area of West Belfast.
Billericay Town FC vs St James Swifts kicks off at New Lodge Stadium in Essex on Saturday, but the match certainly wasn’t arranged overnight.
It is the result of months of delicate planning between Billericay Town and Swifts founder Damien Lindsay – who established the Belfast club six years ago.
Also involved is David McCartney, an Irish businessman who operates DMC Contracts Ltd in Essex and has pumped thousands of his own money made in England back into his local community club.
Club founder Mr Lindsay, who was awarded the BBC Get Inspired Unsung Hero award winner in 2015, founded St James Swifts in 2011 with the aim of helping to keep young people off the streets in a deprived part of his native city.
He says the game against Billericay this weekend is proof of good intentions on both sides of the Irish Sea.
Next up at the @AGPArena
Saturday 5th August 5pm KO
Tickets
£6 - Adults
£2 - Child#fansspeakwelisten #AGPArena #togetherwesailasone pic.twitter.com/UDnPk7QnKq— Billericay Town FC (@BTFC) August 2, 2017
“We’ve lost two lads to suicide in the last year and just two weeks ago a good friend of ours from a rival team killed himself,” Mr Lindsay said.
“We’re over the moon that he has given us the opportunity to come over to England to play and he has our place absolutely buzzing.”
St James fan Mr McCartney, who arranged the game with Billericay Town on behalf of the Belfast club, pumped £50,000 into the Swifts last summer to get the team a new team bus.
Both teams sponsored by @DMCContractsLtd - who do we cheer for?
Go @BTFC ⚽️
Go @stjamesswifts ⚽️#Preseason #Football #showyoursupport https://t.co/kA26SCwYMw— DMC Contracts Ltd. (@DMCContractsLtd) July 31, 2017
“David has been absolutely unbelievable. He and Glenn have the same compulsion to help people and it’s great to see.
“We’re hoping to spend a lot of the money raised on suicide awareness given the epidemic among young men in West Belfast and elsewhere.
“To their credit Billericay Town have really stepped up the plate in allowing this game to go ahead.”
The game between Billericay Town and St James Swifts kicks off at New Lodge Stadium at 5pm on Saturday, August 5.
Proceeds will go toward St James Swift’s teams, City Farm, and community projects including suicide awareness in the St James area of West Belfast.
