A Manchester football club which prides itself on diversity and inclusivity has become a lifeline for scores of local people since its launch twelve months ago.
Happy Somedays FC was set up by Joe Farrar, 33, who was desperate to get back on the pitch after a leg injury, but feared the weight he'd put on during lockdown would hold him back.
The club is open to anyone of any age or ability, with many of the players having disabilities, or trouble with their mental and physical health.
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Since Joe launched the club last June, numbers have grown rapidly at their training ground in Wythenshawe. And players have even gone on to start playing matches with like-minded teams.
But the football team has become so much more than that in recent months and now provides a safe space for members to socialise and keep fit.
Speaking to the M.E.N, Joe said: "About a year ago we were getting about 30 guys coming an around ten women but now we have over 50 men a week and around 16 women.
"We have networked and found like-minded groups so we have been able to play friendlies. We have been to Fleetwood and invited teams here from all over the North West.
"Some of the girls have come from never playing football to playing friendlies and tournaments. They won a game the other day and came second in a tournament too."
The club has now started running weekly fitness classes at a discounted rate, and Joe says there are plans to start a running club in the near future too.
"We are a non-profit club that has always been our goal but we have built a bit of a kitty so we can offer fitness sessions to people for free," Joe said.
"When they are booking they can select for us to pay for them if they are struggling. We don’t ask people why but we just trust that they need the help."
Joe says the best thing to have come out of the club is the relationships that have been built, and seeing so many different types of people come together.
"The most beautiful thing to come out of this is that we have created a safe place for people to come and socialise and enjoy themselves," he added.
"We got feedback from one of our member’s parents who said her son wouldn’t really socialise before and this club has opened a lot up for him.
"We have been able to pay to get some of the girls to watch Manchester United women’s and we bought some tickets for the youth FA cup final. It was nice to see a lot of people get to Old Trafford for the first time in their lives."
Members of the club have also been helping out with community work, joining forces with Wythenshawe Waste Warriors and recently donating kits to a team of asylum seekers.
Thanks to the success of the club they have now been able to create their own kit - something Joe proudly says is a homage to Manchester. Part of the money put towards the kits will also be donated to food poverty charity FareShare.
Despite its huge popularity, Joe is still encouraging more people to get involved with the club - or set up their own in their local area.
He said: "Anyone is welcome. We have people with disabilities or people who are unhappy with their weight and wouldn't feel comfortable playing in a proper league.
"We have people coming from all over the city. A guy who lives in Manchester city centre originally from Hong Kong now comes down with his dad. The club really is for everyone."
