Award-winning charity Street Soccer partners with MFC Foundation, Middlesbrough FC, Middlesbrough Council & Everyone Active to expand the search for Team England.
Street Soccer London, the official Team England partner for the Homeless World Cup, has announced an expansion of its player selection programme with the launch of the Northern Selection Trials. The event will take place on Thursday 15th May 2025 at Everyone Active’s Middlesbrough Sports Village, in partnership with ourselves, Middlesbrough Football Club, and Middlesbrough Council.
The trials aim to open the door for players across the North of England to represent their country on the global stage at this year’s Homeless World Cup in Oslo. This marks the first time Street Soccer’s Team England trials will be hosted outside of London, reflecting a commitment to national inclusivity and opportunity.
The 2025 Team England squad will be led by Craig McManus, former Team Scotland Captain and current Acting Head of Foundation at MFC Foundation. McManus previously captained Team Scotland at the Homeless World Cup in Glasgow and brings a wealth of experience and passion to the role. Coaching duties will be overseen by Frankie Jumes, who began his journey as a player at the Four Nations Tournament in Edinburgh in 2021. Now a full-time staff member at Street Soccer, Frankie was awarded Coach of the Tournament at last year’s Homeless World Cup in Seoul, where Team England finished as runners-up to Mexico.
The announcement follows renewed interest in the Homeless World Cup, sparked by the release of The Beautiful Game, the Netflix film starring Bill Nighy and Micheal Ward, which brought the tournament’s powerful message of hope and redemption to a global audience. Street Soccer’s Team England programme is proudly supported by Micheal Ward, whose involvement continues to raise awareness of football’s potential to change lives.
“Meeting Team England and seeing the work of Street Soccer first hand has given me a boost.” Said Micheal Ward, Actor and Model, after meeting the Team last year. “Football has given me many opportunities and always been that glue for me. it’s a blessing to see others benefit from these opportunities.”
“This is a big moment for Team England and for Street Soccer,” said David Duke, Founder & CEO of Street Soccer. “We know there’s incredible talent and potential across the country, and these trials are about giving more people the chance to be part of something life-changing. Street Soccer was born out of my own experience at the Homeless World Cup so I understand first hand the power football has to change lives, and through this partnership in Middlesbrough we’re making that power more accessible than ever before.”
“We’re proud to bring the Northern Trials to Middlesbrough,” said Craig McManus, Acting Head of Foundation at MFC Foundation and pictures left in the photo above. “At MFC Foundation, we believe in football as a force for good, and working with Street Soccer aligns perfectly with our mission to inspire hope and opportunity in our communities. We can’t wait to welcome players from across Tees Valley next month.”
“Middlesbrough has a proud sporting heritage and a strong sense of community,” said Gaye Kirby, Head of Culture at Middlesbrough Council. “We’re delighted to support the Homeless World Cup Northern Trials. This event reflects the town’s commitment to inclusion, opportunity and the power of culture and sport to bring people together.”
Street Soccer London made its debut as the official Team England partner at the 2024 Homeless World Cup in Seoul, where the team delivered an unforgettable performance, finishing runners-up after a dramatic final against Mexico.
With this year’s tournament set for Oslo in August, the Northern Trials mark a crucial step in the journey toward building a diverse and competitive squad.
Interested players or organisations can find more information and register their interest at http://teamengland.streetsoccer.org.uk or by emailing teamengland@streetsoccer.org.uk
Photo Credit: Edinburgh Photographic, Sam McGill & Anita Mills