Middlesbrough Football Club Head Coach Michael Carrick visited Teesside University to hand out football boots to young people taking part in a community football session.

The Boro boss was at the launch of a new scheme for the area called The Boot Room, which will be run in partnership between the MFC Foundation and the Michael Carrick Foundation, providing local youngsters with football boots.

Carrick hands out boots as part of a community event on Teesside for the EFL’s Week of Action

Carrick sees a bit of himself in the young players who braved the cold to collect free boots

The launch of the scheme was held alongside an MFC Foundation inclusive football session, which are hosted regularly on the Olympia astro turf pitch at Teesside University.

Head of MFC Foundation Lynsey Edwards said: “We’re grateful to be partnering with The Michael Carrick Foundation for The Boot Room.

“Young people across Teesside face some of the most difficult challenges and football is our way to give them some relief and fun, with the help of The Boot Room we can provide them with a pair of boots so they can continue their footballing experience.”

Michael Carrick said: “It’s great to be able to help young people and hopefully give them a chance. There were a lot of youngsters at the Uni and it was great to see so many faces.

“It’s great to be able to help young people and hopefully give them a chance” – MFC Head Coach Michael Carrick

“MFC Foundation does a terrific amount of work in the community, and we were keen for the two Foundations to partner up and work together where we can.”

The recent opening of Teesside University’s Football Academy, which will nurture the region’s next crop of football players, both male and female, coincided with the head coach of the Boro visiting the university. Talented students can continue to study in their favorite subject while training and competing at a high level in football at the prestigious Football Academy.

George Friend, a defender for Birmingham City and a former Middlesbrough player, came back to the region to assist with the opening of Teesside University Football Academy. The George Friend Scholarship, which will assist students from all backgrounds in pursuing their passion for football alongside a university education, was originally established by George in collaboration with the University.