Duke teams up with star for new film
A HOLLYWOOD-BASED Scot wants to spread the Street Soccer story around the world with a documentary all about the organisation.
Footballer turned actor Declan Michael Laird, from Kilmacolm, has teamed up with film-maker Dylan Russell for project Playing for Change, telling the story of the Scots social enterprise and founder David Duke.
LA-based Declan, who got his first role in River City and has just completed a TV show in New York and a movie with Steve Coogan and Neve Campbell, is a big fan of Duke’s work and said the documentary would portray the incredible impacts on players’ lives.
He said: “We want to highlight the work Street Soccer do and show how these guys are working to change their life through sport.
“With all the negativity football gets around the world sometimes, it can also be an amazing tool for changing people’s lives, and we want to show that.
“We would also focus on how Street Soccer is helping inspire other programmes around the world.”
Declan was a youth footballer with Morton before an audition on holiday in LA seven years ago earned him a scholarship for the prestigious Stella Adler acting school.
Since moving to California in 2011, he has appeared in several TV series and films, and became a passionate supporter of Street Soccer after meeting David.
David Duke said: “Declan got in touch after reading about us and had ideas about a documentary.
“He is football daft and combines his passion for football with a passion for social change.”