MEMBERS of a new football team for the homeless are up for the cup – the World Cup.

The new premier division of the FA’s Berkshire, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Inclusive League has encouraged people suffering from mental health problems and homelessness to take up football.

And thanks to Oxford United’s work with the Faithfulls – a team from the homeless hostel Lucy Faithfull House, in Speedwell Street, Oxford – two players are hoping to represent England at the 2010 Homeless World Cup tournament in the Brazilian city and 2016 Olympic host, Rio De Janeiro.

If Adrian Bottley, 20, and Darren Lavin, 37, make it through the first round of national trials early next year, they will have the chance to impress the selectors who will choose the squad to represent England at the annual tournament.

Mr Lavin ended up on the streets three years ago after being released from prison after serving a sentence for robbery.

He said: “Playing for England is every kid’s dream. It would be great.

“I’m looking forward to the trials and am training in the gym when I can.

“We all in live in the house, and we’ve all been through some of the same sort of stuff.

“The football gets us out from not doing anything all day. It focuses the mind and keeps us fit.

“If we weren’t doing this, what would be doing?”

Oxford United’s youth and community coach John Armstrong, who works with the Faithfulls every week, said: “The fitness levels aren’t always great, because of smoking and drinking, but it’s more about what they can gain from being in a team and all the positive outcomes from that.

“It improves self-esteem, confidence and the discipline of playing in a team and helping your team-mates out.”

Oxfordshire groups Coasters, Emmaus, Oxford Nightshelter and the Kingfisher housing association have also entered teams in the new league, which kicked off this week.

Kingfisher support worker Mark Delaney said: “For a lot of our clients, it’s the first time in 25 years they’ve played football.

“It can be very difficult to get them motivated to do anything.

“As soon I mentioned football, guys who hadn’t come out of their front door for six months came for a kickabout.”