A football team from a Reading homeless shelter is set to compete in a tournament backed by Pep Guardiola.

The Salvation Army's annual football tournament, aimed at tackling homelessness, will kick off on September 19, with 30 teams from Salvation Army homelessness services around the UK, including a team from Reading, competing for The Partnership Trophy.

Now in its 13th year, the partnership trophy is organised by the Salvation Army and its subsidiary, Salvation Army Homes, bringing together football teams from lifehouses, supported housing, outreach programmes, and drop-in services across the UK.

The Reading team, Willow House, a lifehouse (hostel) based on Willow Street, will take residents and staff to play in the five-a-side game.

One of the participants, Gary, 52, spent a year at Willow House before moving to a rehab in Loughborough.

He has been clean for six months and is now in phase three of the rehab programme, living more independently in a shared house.

He said: "The Salvation Army has helped me no end, and if it wasn’t for them, I would be in a lot deeper than I have been.

"I have been playing football since I was 16 years old, and it brings me enjoyment, happiness, and escape from everyday life."

This year, the tournament will be supported by former professional footballer John Hartson, who played for Celtic and Wales.

Mr Hartson will be cheering on the teams, inspiring players, and sharing top football tips, as well as talking about his own experiences of tackling a gambling addiction and overcoming stage four cancer.

Mr Hartson will sound the starting whistle on the tournament, which will take place at GOALS, Manchester.

The annual partnership trophy is one of the many ways the church and charity promote positive and independent living for its service users, reinforcing the message that helping people move on from homelessness is more than just providing a roof over someone’s head.

Nathan Slinn, deputy director of the homelessness services department for the Salvation Army, said: "Our annual partnership trophy celebrates everyone within our homelessness services, acknowledging the journey they are on to be the best version of themselves while recognising the challenges that many have had to overcome.

"There are often very complex reasons why people find themselves homeless, and this tournament reinforces our ethos that our services provide so much more than just a roof and that, together with our partners, we’re committed to ending the cycle of homelessness – and what this event is all about."

This year’s football tournament will once again be backed by the Guardiola Sala Foundation, a humanitarian charity set up by Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola and his family.