A football thuds repeatedly against the wooden boards surrounding an indoor pitch nestled inside a unit on a North Wales industrial estate.
Eight men - all wearing blue sports kits, four of them also in red bibs, chase each other around the artificial pitch. Several more stand behind the metal wire to the side shouting instructions and encouragement while two other teams, one in yellow and another in orange, lounge behind on benches or on the grass outside enjoying the warm afternoon.
The quality of football is surprisingly good. The players are playing street football - four aside where a goalkeeper stays inside their penalty box and outfield players defend with two and attack with three.
READ MORE: 'Football crazy' L8 man creates Liverpool's own 'World Cup' tournament
The four team tournament is taking place at The Football Lab in an industrial estate 10-minutes away from Flint. It is organised by Street Football Wales - a charity that gives opportunities to people who find themselves in difficult situations due to low income, homelessness, unemployment or skill gaps.
The two teams in blue are Liverpool Homeless Football Club. Earlier 13 men had piled onto a minibus outside the Powerleague pitches just north of the city centre. The pitches are an unofficial base for the club - a place where biweekly, on Tuesdays and Thursdays, sessions are held for people to come and play football.
The club founded by John Finnigan in 2007, uses sport, particularly football, to engage with the most vulnerable in Merseyside.
"I believe in it - I believe in the power of football, or any sport for that matter," John explains as he sits on the grass bank outside the football pitches. "I worked in a hostel with 36 lads who all experienced problems with drink, drugs, mental health, it was chaotic.
"One day I took three lads on my day off to play football and it was the changing of the hostel. Beforehand I was a screw to them and no one would speak to me. But after taking them to football once that all changed.
"The next week I had nine wanting to come and it just developed from that. There was no barrier there anymore and I was spoken to as a mate."
After being in the hostel 27-years and juggling the football club alongside it used money donated by former LFC player Jamie Carragher that allowed him a salary and he ran the football club full-time. But as much as the charity is focused around football, John adds it is more about reducing isolation, offering emotional support, and giving new players opportunities.
The 60-year-old, with a degree in housing and human environments from Newcastle University, said: "When you're born in the city especially from a poor background you don't get the opportunities, so it's important for us to get people out to meet new people. That's what broadens your horizons and shows you there's more to life."
At first the charity found players from hostels and shelters, but now through their drop-in sessions on a Tuesday and Thursday are open to all.
One man who has benefited from the charity is James - the player who earlier scored the peach into the top corner. The 31-year-old has been part of the football team since he was 23.
"I just love playing football and I'm glad to be back. It's the first time I've played since October because I broke my collarbone trying an overheard kick," he explains, wiping his brow with his red bib as he steps away from the pitch.
James is one of the best at the tournament. He's previously played for teams including Bootle FC and AFC Liverpool but has lived in and out of homeless shelters and hostels for a number of years.
"Smoking weed and gambling was my problem. I'd go out and spend £400 of my wages before I'd even got home," he explains. "Being in the homeless shelter was actually a blessing because it meant I met John.
"Coming to footy when you're homeless is just boss. It gives me routine and something to look forward to twice a week - even if it's just an hour or two. It's the best thing I can do - it just lifts my mind."
James is now living in shared sheltered accommodation and is looking to get a place of his own. He's got a son, Chase, who will be two next week. "I spend my time with him - just getting down the park and seeing family. I can't wait to bring him to footy."
James' story is just one told over the course of the day. Everyone - both players and coaches - has a story about how they came to be a part of the football club.
There's Elvis, a former International footballer from the east-coast of Africa who now works as a coach at the club. 'Haggis,' a Scotsman who proudly shows off pictures of his weight loss journey. "Seven-and-a-half stone down now," he says. He also runs his own football matches and tournaments to support mental health after being inspired by the work of the club.
Darren struggled with alcohol but since being part of the club has been clean for two years. Pat is a key worker who comes down to support his lads but also to play. "I have no cartilage in my knee and the doctors said I shouldn't play but it keeps me fit and active." When Pat scores - put through by another player, JJ, before tucking home past the goalkeeper - it brings one of the biggest cheers of the day.
Dylan is a tall and tanned 26-year-old who speaks with an Irish drawl. He explains he was working as security in a hostel when he met John. After finding out Dylan had a PE degree John invited him down to the sessions to meet the team.
"I was very lucky - I love it and I've been doing it for a year now. Helping people and being there for the guys is what it's all about. I'm not like a coach to the boys - they're all my actual friends and I genuinely care about them."
Dylan explains he went through a bad time emotionally after splitting with his girlfriend but the support of the group - and John especially - helped him through it. "They're all just great people - they're my friends and family here in Liverpool rolled into one.
"John has taken me under his wing and helped me. He's like a father figure. I want to be successful in myself but I want my success to lead to helping others just like John."
Because helping people and supporting them is what the football club is all about. As well as the football sessions for the men on Tuesdays and Thursdays, both free, the last Tuesday of the month sees a tournament involving teams from across the region and further afield competing. Food is put on and guest speakers come down to give advice to the men. As well as patron John Bishop, footballers including Jamie Carragher and John Barnes have imparted their wisdom.
The football club also run a session for women on Wednesdays. "Women Wednesdays," John laughs. "They chose the name". The Wednesday sessions focus on supporting women, predominantly those who have experienced domestic abuse.
And as well as all this they also offer members of 'the family' opportunities to move towards employment, further training or volunteering. This could be in food preparation and hygiene or getting coaching badges. Throughout the day a couple of players approach head coach Keith, or 'Hecky' as some of the men call him, to enquire more about the opportunity.
As well as football advice and opportunity, Keith is also particularly vocal enforcing the men to be respectful and to show respect. He tells the ECHO: "It doesn't matter what people's backgrounds are - that gets forgotten about. At football we all come with the same background.
"I tell them I know it can be frustrating but I always bang on about showing respect - it's okay being competitive but don't ruin it for others or yourselves. There's a good camaraderie - they're a good bunch of boys and they bounce off each other.
"I think the lads respect me because I really come to their level. You need to be a bit of a chameleon and know how to communicate with everyone. I'm just a normal guy who has problems like everyone else, but when I'm here, my problems are left at the gate."
Keith has been involved with the club for two years after being recommended to John. He's coached at a semi-professional level and also has his own coaching business where he offers one-to-one sessions. "For me routine and structure are key - have a purpose to what you're doing. That's why I've said about the coaching - when the lads are ready they can come and work with me, no problem at all."
The tournament finishes with the two Liverpool teams watching on from the side. A quick presentation and talk of future collaboration between the teams follows before the men pile back onto the minibus to make the hour-long journey back home.
The mood in the bus is jovial - players mock John about leaving someone behind while Keith warns them to get their passports out as the bus crosses back into England.
But with a cost of living crisis enveloping the country the most vulnerable in society are at risk of being left behind. And like every charity, Liverpool Homeless FC are struggling financially. "The funds are drying up now," John says.
"But what can we do, we can't pull it. People rely on it - I have a responsibility to get the funding in to continue supporting our lads and girls. They've had people take stuff away from them their whole lives - but we won't do that. You don't turn your back on your family."
Receive newsletters with the latest news, sport and what's on updates from the Liverpool ECHO by signing up here
Nan, 90, with 'biggest family in Merseyside' still buys presents for them all
Foster couple 'heartbroken' as every child leaves but 'wouldn't change a moment'
Dad becomes boss of multimillion pound company after going for brew with Tesco CEO
Dad living in tent 'couldn't bear thought of daughter living without him'
