THE man who organised Teesside's first football tournament for homeless and drug-addicted people has spoken of sport's ability to save lives.

Alan Harrison, Middlesbrough Homeless and Recovery League's sports development coordinator, talked to the press to promote the forthcoming Homeless Recovery Shield.

Mr Harrison, himself a recovering alcoholic, praised the support he has received from Middlesbrough FC Foundation and Middlesbrough Philanthropic Foundation and said: "If it wasn't for them, some people who are engaged with us now would have lost their lives.

“There are people who have tried to commit suicide and through the support we're able to give them are now recovering.

“This is a day of celebrating the recovery of each and every one of those taking part. It gets them involved in the community again and helps lift the stigma they are carrying on their shoulders, giving them confidence and the chance to play together in a team.”

Mr Harrison got involved with North East Athletic when he moved to Middlesbrough from Merseyside and discovered there were no programmes here using sport to help people with problems such as homelessness and substance abuse. It was then that he started to help the charity spread its wings south from Tyneside to Teesside.

The tournament takes place at the Herlingshaw Sports Centre on Thursday, September 25.

Agencies including the Probation Service, hostels and other homelessness and substance abuse organisations throughout the country have been invited to submit teams.

For further information or to book your team's place in the tournament, call Mr Harrison on 07935-942381.