Merseyside football clubs team up with Crimestoppers to tackle knife crime

Marine FC staged their second football tournament and knife crime prevention event this week with CrimeStoppers.

The tournament was for teams of boys and girls from year 8 who represented each of the four football clubs on Merseyside who are part of Crimestoppers Four Clubs One Goal initiative: Everton, Liverpool, Marine and Tranmere.

Using the reach and power of football, Liverpool FC, Everton FC, Tranmere Rovers FC and Marine FC and Crimestoppers are engaging young people with a strong clear message: Enough is Enough; 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. We all must play a part in taking knives off our streets.

The round robin football tournament was interspersed with short sessions on the dangers of knife crime, led by James Riley, Gangs, 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. 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 of the day was to deliver a powerful message that knives destroy lives. It highlighted that young people can take part in the wide range of activities that each club provides to help and support them throughout the year, through the work of 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.

David Fairclough, Crimestoppers Volunteer and Liverpool Legend, 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”.

Ian Snodin, Everton Ambassador, and club Legend 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 that reporting anonymously to Crimestoppers or Fearless.org, Crimestoppers’ youth brand, is a positive thing to do, and could save lives.”