For the latest installment I had the pleasure of talking to David Jardine from Willowfield Duffers FC who play in the Churches League.

So, a few episodes back I spoke to Chris Pollock about the aforementioned league and in my research discovered the Duffers and immediately decided they were my team. Luckily for me their social media is run by the very kind and patient David!

It was fascinating to hear about his journey through faith and how it has sustained him in particularly challenging circumstances as he navigates through the effects of long Covid.

Alongside the usual football chatter we discussed his surprisingly traumatic playing career, his work within Willowfield Church, his prison chaplaincy, becoming ordained and how Worship Music has helped him through his health struggles, culminating in Songs for the Storm.

www.instagram.com/willowfieldduffersfc/

www.instagram.com/songsforthestorm/

www.willowfieldchurch.co.uk/

www.saturdayservice.uk

For this edition I had the pleasure of speaking with Kieran Garland from Dream Centre Wales, both a church and a football team based in Ystrad in the Rhondda Valley, South Wales.

Football as a means of outreach is something I'm personally very passionate about and this is certainly the case with the work of Kieran and Dream Centre Wales, fulfilling a vital role in the local community, providing programs that inspire, offer purpose and a sense of belonging.

Beginning with participation in the Ambassador Football National Christian Football Festival (now the Churches Football Festival), Dream Centre Wales FC are preparing for their first season in the Welsh Churches Football League.

Kieran's story is a testament to the transformative power of faith, something he now seeks to share with with the young people of the Rhondda.

https://www.dreamcentrewales.com/

https://www.instagram.com/d.c.w.fc/

www.saturdayservice.uk

So we've somehow made it to episode 10 already and what better way to celebrate than a chat with goalkeeper extraordinaire Leif Hunter.

Leif provides a fascinating insight into the life of a footballer, through playing in his native United States in the MLS Next Pro and USL leagues and stints at Salford City and Bala Town. His story is a testament to the power of faith in navigating the often overlooked challenges a player faces in achieving their dreams.

I first discovered Leif in a video on the Cymru League's Instagram account, where he was being introduced to the Tesco Meal Deal, so you best believe we get the conclusion to that saga too!

Leif's Instagram

www.saturdayservice.uk