Lessons given by former hooligan

A former football hooligan from Stoke-on-Trent is working with his local football club to steer young people away from violence.

Mark Chester said he wanted to amend for his past by launching the Free Kick project with the backing of Stoke City Football Club.

Mr Chester was one of the founder members of the notorious Naughty Forty gang in the 1980s and 1990s.

The project shows young people in the Potteries a life outside violence.

Mr Chester said he wanted young people to hear from someone who had a background in crime to hear how it could destroy lives.

He said: "We're trying to get these kids at a raw street level and hopefully direct them away from the consequences of getting involved in gang culture and football hooliganism."

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