A community football initiative, Sir Bobby’s Street Reds, has been inaugurated by the Manchester United Foundation and the Sir Bobby Charlton Foundation as a lasting tribute to the late footballer Sir Bobby Charlton, who passed away in October 2023.
Sir Bobby’s Street Reds, funded by the Sir Bobby Charlton Foundation, is a free football provision managed by the Manchester United Foundation. The launch event, held at Manchester Academy in Moss Side, witnessed the attendance of former Manchester United goalkeeper Alex Stepney, who praised the project. Speaking at the event, Stepney asserted, ‘This is an endorsement of what Sir Bobby did for his entire career, even when he was playing, he was all about helping kids, and obviously he later had his own soccer schools. Now, with Manchester United Foundation arranging these sessions, it would mean so much to him.’
The programme is designed to run on a weekly basis, with coaching provided by Manchester United Foundation coaches. More than 50 youngsters from various backgrounds participated in the launch event’s football tournament, where they were awarded trophies and footballs as a tribute to Sir Bobby’s belief that ‘the greatest gift a child could receive is a ball.’
The project aims to offer a safe and inclusive space for children in the Moss Side area, many of whom are refugees. It seeks to build on the legacy of Sir Bobby Charlton, who was dedicated to inspiring courage and resilience in youth. The Sir Bobby Charlton Foundation, which has long supported the Manchester United Foundation, focuses on improving the lives of individuals affected by war and conflict.
Stephen Cross, Chair of the Sir Bobby Charlton Foundation, remarked, ‘Sir Bobby’s Street Reds goes back to the core concept of Sir Bobby’s vision many years ago in creating the Bobby Charlton Soccer Schools. We believe that Sir Bobby would be immensely proud to see this reincarnation of his concept, which is now pointed towards helping victims of conflict. It is a very natural intersection of the elements, and we are delighted to team up with Manchester United Foundation to bring this to a reality.’
The choice of Manchester Academy as the location for the sessions is significant, given that more than 70 nationalities are represented at the school. Sir Bobby and his wife, Lady Norma, visited the academy in 2016 to inaugurate the partnership with the Sir Bobby Charlton Foundation.
John Shiels, Chief Executive of the Manchester United Foundation, noted, ‘Sir Bobby would have been in his element launching this Street Reds session, which now proudly carries his name. His love of the game, and the benefits that it could provide in helping young people grow physically, mentally, and socially, is the simple concept that he took to all corners of the globe through his soccer school. Now, being able to offer a safe space to children through this Street Reds session, where the young people can come together and play football in his adopted home of Manchester, would have made him so proud.’
The Street Reds programme operates across 23 sites in Greater Manchester and beyond, providing evening football sessions for children aged eight to eighteen years old. Funded by the Premier League under the PL Kicks initiative, these sessions aim to foster community cohesion in areas facing high levels of deprivation while also offering opportunities for participants to gain new skills and qualifications.
Sir Bobby’s Street Reds project stands as a testament to Sir Bobby Charlton’s enduring legacy, embodying his lifelong commitment to helping and inspiring youth through football.