From the peak of the Premier League to the foot of the Championship and Charlton Athletic, the team where I began my career back in 1981, are having mixed fortunes.On the field, they're having a torrid time. One win in 17 tells its own story. But off the pitch, the club continues to shine.
The club's Charitable Trust along with the CARE (Charlton Athletic Race Equality) Partnership is doing strong community work. I'm currently in South Africa as part of the club's international outreach work.
We've linked up with the enforcement agencies in Durban, Cape Town and Johannesburg to help them forge long-term and effective links with young people.
The inner cities in these areas are blighted with crime, rape and other serious issues. But it's football that has the real hold on the youngsters there.
We're using our experience and know-how to help bind the police and the kids, using sessions and workshops and some good old-fashioned kickabouts too.
In the past there hasn't been too much in the way of trust between the two parties. But football is the tool to help change that.
Charlton has long received plaudits for its community work and rightly so. And as a fan, I'm hoping some of this positivity can translate to the pitch. I for one am keeping the faith.
SE7 is not the same without you - take CARE in SA
ReplyDeleteMatt Wang