Kenny Dalglish has praised a former Northern Ireland footballer for his work in the community.
Pat McGibbon has been running Train To Be Smart for the past decade, a football coaching centre for young people which increases their mental health resilience whilst also improving their sports skills.
He was inspired to establish the charitable centre in memory of his brother Phillip, who took his own life eight months after Pat moved to Manchester United in 1993.
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Starting with just 26 young people in 2013, the charity has since grown to support 200 living in deprived areas in Northern Ireland, using sport to promote positive mental health and wellbeing.
Receiving support from leading football figures, including Sir Alex Ferguson and former United and Republic of Ireland captain Roy Keane, the centre is open to children of all ages, abilities and needs.
Co Armagh native McGibbon caught up with volunteers on Saturday to celebrate a decade of service.
And he received a special message of congratulations from Liverpool legend Dalglish who said: "Hi Pat, it's Kenny Dalglish here. Hope you have a fantastic day on your 10th year. Getting together with the coaches and everyone else.
"I am sure the appreciation goes much further than me, more important people than me.
"Everyone enjoys it and they come back week in week out to have some time with you, and being taught and encouraged. It's fantastic.
"The work people do outside of professional football is brilliant and much appreciated by all the kids who turn up and take part.
"So have a fantastic day and keep up the brilliant work."
McGibbon added on Instagram: "It was great to meet up with some of the volunteers last night ( past and present), since I founded Train 2B Smart 10 years ago, in memory of my brother Phillip.
"Football's brought me some great memories and friends from all over the world, Phillip was a massive Liverpool fan whose hero was Kenny Dalglish.
"A huge thanks to a teammate from my Wigan Athletic days, Paul Dalglish, who sorted a message of thanks from Kenny, to all our volunteers on their contribution since 2013.
"Our family appreciate this greatly!"
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