Kye Trott, 27, leads The People’s FC, a squad that combines his love for football with a deep commitment to charitable causes, inspired by his own personal journey.
“We started off doing charity games, and then it just grew from there,” Kye told the News Shopper.
“Before long, we were playing every single week – we joined the league and even won two cup games.”
The team, which includes players of all abilities, has expanded to include a disability squad and plans to introduce a girls’ team next season.
“It’s all about providing a space for everyone to get involved.
“We’ve even become second in the most charitable football campaign in the UK.”
A huge part of the team’s mission is their ongoing fundraising for Mind, a charity close to Kye’s heart.
He said: “We’ve raised over £43,000 so far.”
One of the most memorable moments for Kye and his team was raising funds for a young girl in the local community who needed life-changing surgery for Cerebral Palsy.
He explained: “I met her mum at my job at Thamesmead Gym, and she told me that without the surgery, her daughter would never walk independently.
“We managed to raise £3,500 for the surgery.”
The money raised through The People’s FC doesn’t just go towards charity.
Players chip in £10 each to cover pitch fees, referee costs, and other expenses.
Kye added: “Everyone has jobs, stresses, and personal struggles, but football is my release.
“When I’m on the pitch, nothing else matters. I can just focus on the game.”
Kye’s passion for football and charity extends beyond his work with the team.
He’s also preparing for his third London Marathon, raising money for Tommy’s, a charity supporting families affected by stillbirth and premature birth.
This cause is especially personal for Kye, as his football manager tragically lost a baby at eight months old.
Kye’s journey has been shaped by personal hardships as well.
He explained: “About eight years ago, I was dealing with PTSD after a close family friend took his life.
“But I decided enough was enough. I wanted to turn my life around.
“I couldn’t stand watching films about similar situations, so I knew I had to make a change.”
That’s when The People’s FC was born. It started as a small group of friends playing for fun, but it soon evolved into something much bigger.
Kye added: “We’ve raised money for numerous causes, including Mind.
“We’ve got a charity game coming up on March 7 in Isle of Sheppey, and next month we’ve got another one lined up.
“I used to think about my past, but now I see everything I do as making up for the things I did wrong. It’s like karma.
“I’m always at the gym, always talking to people, always trying to do good.
“And hopefully, if I ever need help, all the people I’ve helped will be there for me.”
