Wednesday, 1 September, 2004 16:40
Faith In Football |
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| Linvoy
Primus |
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Portsmouth
defender Linvoy Primus hated church when he was a boy. Now a dedicated
Christian, he's using his footballing skills to help children from
poorer areas. |
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Footballer
Linvoy Primus is backing an initiative which encourages sport while
helping to break down popular misconceptions about church.
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| Linvoy
teaches his skills to others |
Faith
In Football is a Portsmouth based project which gives children in
poorer areas the chance to play football.
It's a Christian charity, but the aim is not to preach. Linvoy, who
found his own faith as an adult, is keen to use his footballing skills
to help young people.
After turning professional with Charlton, Linvoy moved to Portsmouth
and his career took off, but he felt he needed more.
| "I'd
want the next thing. I was always chasing something and never
getting any satisfaction." |
| Linvoy
Primus |
The
defender, who has just signed a new two year contract with Pompey,
felt something was missing in his life.
He and his wife felt isolated and were unsure whether people were
attracted to them just because of their fame and money.
As a child, Linvoy was made to attend church, and hated it. He'd
skip Sunday School to play football. Nevertheless, when an invitation
came to go to church in Portsmouth one day, he went. Six weeks later
he said a prayer and says he gave his life to God. From that moment,
he says, he felt whole.
| "We're
not preaching, we're living a life which will hopefully reflect
something of the person who we follow." |
| Mick
Mellows |
Mick
Mellows, who also once played for Pompey, teamed up with Linvoy for
the Faith In Football project.
Together
they plan to take the project to some of the world's most deprived
areas. Two years ago they went to Nigeria, while this year they hope
to go to India.
It's hoped that football can be used as the key to open up children's
lives by giving them positive role models and teaching them important
life skills - as well as some skills on the pitch!
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