Marine FC staged its second football tournament and knife crime prevention event in conjunction with independent UK charity Crimestoppers.
Teams of boys and girls from year 8 represented Everton, Liverpool, Marine and Tranmere - the four Merseyside football clubs which are part of Crimestoppers Four Clubs One Goal initiative. Their message Enough is Enough addresses the fact too many young people are victims of knife crime on Merseyside, too many young people are being tempted to carry knives and too many families are mourning the loss of a loved one.
The round-robin football tournament also featured short sessions on the dangers of knife crime led by James Riley founder of the Gangs programme, Street Doctors and Crimestoppers. The teams who represented each club won their place in the finals after competing in tournaments held by each club over the preceding week.
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The winners of the boys competition were the team representing LFC, from Maricourt High School, while the girls representing Marine FC, from Litherland High School, lifted the winner’s trophy. The goal was to deliver a powerful message that knives destroy lives as well as highlight the wide range of activities that each club provides to help and support young people through their community foundations.
Graeme Gardiner, from Marine Football Club, said “Today was a brilliant collaboration, teaching children through the power of sport and Marine were delighted to host such a successful day with lots of happy youngsters.”
Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher and Everton legend and club Ambassador Ian Snodin presented the medals to all those who took part and trophies to the winners of the boys’ and girls’ events.
Crimestoppers volunteer David Fairclough said: “It was a fantastic day with some very competitive matches but all played in a great spirit. Football is a great way to engage with young people and if what the young people heard during the day stops one young person thinking that they should carry a knife, then we have been successful in our aim of reducing crime on Merseyside. Tragically, young people often think they have no choice but to carry a knife to protect themselves, but statistically it is shown that young people are at greater risk of being stabbed if they do carry a knife.”
Everton ambassador Ian Snodin said: “Congratulations to everyone involved in the tournament. Everyone knows that guns and knives are a massive problem and anything that can contribute towards getting them off our streets is to be applauded. It’s a very strong message that’s needed and football can often be great at doing that. Sport in general can reach out to young people and I am delighted to be a part of the Four Clubs One Goal event.”
The day also challenged the “no grass” culture and stressed reporting anonymously to Crimestoppers, or Crimestoppers' youth brand Fearless.org, is a positive thing to do and could save lives.
Crimestoppers anonymous hotline can be contacted 24 hours a day on 0800 555111.
