Jonny Evans sent us a load of trainers... and suddenly everyone had size 11 feet!
LEICESTER CITY star Jonny Evans helped provide some light relief for Lou Macari in the Scottish legend’s daily battle to keep his centre for the homeless running.
Macari reckons playing for Manchester United and Scotland – in addition to managing a number of top clubs – was far easier than taking on the unknown in the coronavirus outbreak.
His centre in Hanley, Stoke-onTrent, is refuge to around 50 men and women who would normally be living on the harsh streets, always vulnerable to the elements and suddenly now the deadly virus.
“The centre is full, but I’m used to it. It was hard enough having to look after 11 players when I was a manager, but this is far more difficult,” said Macari. “These are strange times, we are in the unknown, the complete unknown.
“In my football days, you knew what you were up against. You were up against 11 players. Now nobody knows what you are facing. Now we are up against fear.”
But the football world is rallying around. A visit to the Lou Macari Centre would reveal a number of residents walking around in trainers that are way too big, complete with Stoke City shirts and training bottoms.
Macari explained: “Jonny
Evans sent a load of trainers to us the other day. I know his wife
Helen, through working with MUTV, and she has obviously told Jonny about the centre.
“He is a size 11 and, before I showed anybody the trainers,
I was asking them what size they were. But, by then, most of them had spotted the size of the trainers we’d got.
“Suddenly, everybody in my centre was a size 11! I’m looking at their feet and many were no bigger than a size six. I said I could only give them to those whose feet would fit.
“But they were so desperate to have them they were arguing they could put paper in them to help them fit. We’ve also had football tops and tracksuit bottoms from Stoke City.
“They love them and, unfortunately, they also like size 11 Jonny Evans shoes! It’s just great that people like Jonny and Helen have been thinking of us.” Food from different outlets has been flooding in too.
“In the last week, I could have fed an army with all the food that has been dropped off,” added Macari.
“It’s fantastic because all families are in the midst of worrying times, but they are still prepared to donate some of their shopping items.”
Macari’s experience has taught him that football can play a huge part in the lives of many homeless people. Its sudden absence is having a real impact on life at the centre.
“Last Saturday was really eerie,” he explained. “When it came around to 3pm, they weren’t starting to watch the scores come in, which reaches a crescendo at 5pm. There was none of the normal banter, the rivalry which goes with supporting all different teams.
“It was quite scary to walk into the lounge where we have the TVs. Instead of football, there was some ruddy film on, which no one was really interested in. It didn’t seem right.
“The banter, normally following the afternoon’s football, continues long into the night. Finally, they go to bed after an enjoyable few hours and watching Match of the Day. Now there’s nothing to look forward to.
“Normally, the centre has a great spirit and part of that comes from the football world. On Saturday, it was rammed home to us how much we rely on football here. It makes my job harder because there is no respite from me telling them what they can’t do because of all the restrictions due to the virus.
“They want to be free, they want to be out and about and I’m telling them they can’t – and there’s no football to come to the rescue.”
Macari, at 70, is classified as ‘vulnerable’ and runs the risk of infection every day he leaves home for the centre. Being classed as a care worker means he isn’t confined to barracks.
“This all started off with everyone talking about the elderly being vulnerable and then you see an 18-year-old has died from the virus,” he said.
“I was driving the other day and it came on the radio that Prince Charles had the coronavirus. Now I don’t know why I thought he would never get it, but you do think that way. It hit home that everyone is open to this and in danger.
“So it’s not just the people in my centre, who’ve been out in the streets, who are vulnerable. We all are.”
Macari believes that includes football, which often lives in its own bubble. Times, he says, are changing.
“We had the Stoke City youth team here at the end of the year,” he added.
“I heard later that, when they left and got on the coach, what they had seen in the centre left a big impression and it was the main topic of conversation. I think it left them in no doubt how lucky they are.
“I do feel nearly all players could donate more to good causes. In our day, we’d donate to various charities, especially those involving children.
“We got £200 a week and, from that, you had to pay the mortgage, make sure there was enough food in the house and, if there was anything left, you were fortunate.
“That’s why you were so desperate for appearance money and win bonuses. But, if we could hand over some cash to charities, we would.
“Now some players are walking out with £200,000 a week. My maths tell me they are in a position to support anything they decide to support.”