Homeless take the field in new football league

A NEW football league for homeless people and backed by Celtic, Hibernian and Rangers has been launched in Scotland.

The new Street Soccer National League (SSNL) will run in the west and east of the country, with each team receiving a free stadium tour at Celtic Park, Easter Road or Ibrox.

Players who attend the most sessions and show fair play will be given match tickets for Scottish Premier League games.

The winners of the regional leagues and one national fair play winner will win a training session at one of the three clubs.

David Duke, Street Soccer Scotland founder, said: "Football has the ability to act as a trigger to energise people who are socially excluded and, through personal development and training, helps empower them to change their own lives for the better.

The 30-year-old, who was once homeless, established Street Soccer Scotland in 2009 to tackle drug and alcohol addiction.