Meet the newest and oldest member of Team England
|Image: Anita Milas
By Andi Phillips
Martin Farrelly is an experienced and intense goalkeeper, with a ton of confidence in his teammates for England.
“Our team is very fierce, very strong, very technical team - we can play both sides, ” Farrelly, age 49 said.
He’s been playing football since primary school, and was semi-pro, but he’s only been on this team five weeks.
In a tough match that ended in a penalty win against Bulgaria on day two of the Homeless World Cup, he says he wasn’t worried.
“I know my potential and I know the team’s potential,” Farrelly said.
“Playing football is my life, keeps me sane, keeps me happy.”
London born Farrelly came into this team through the recovery center Nehemiah Project. Prior to that he was on the streets for two and half months.
“ I was working, lost my job, lost my family, got made homeless from drink and drugs. To be standing here today is a dream. I never thought six or seven months ago that I would be representing England in the HWC back playing football. They are like family, being part of this team has given me a new lease on life.”
He is now back in touch with his daughter and his parents. His brother was watching the match back home, called him and said ‘you haven’t lost it, still as good as you were when you were 16-17.’
A former commercial property manager, Farrelly stopped playing football seven years ago and says his “drinking and drugs took off and my life went downhill.”
|Image: Anita Milas
The programme he’s in is Christian based and provides housing and support, he’s also attending AA meetings here in Seoul. He is overwhelmed by this experience.
“Its been unreal, meeting new people coaches, players, staff, everyone’s been fantastic, couldn’t ask for anything more.”
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Words: Andi Phillips
Images: Anita Milas