The non-league side FC United of Manchester has announced that it is opening their stadium to the homeless on Christmas Day, with support from 30 volunteers.
The supporter-owned football club is providing hot showers, food and a range of activities at Broadhurst Park football ground.
The stadium, in Moston, is the first new ground to be built and funded by a supporter-owned football club.
Andy Cheshire, FC United’s community and education manager, said: “The idea derived from a conversation with Lifeshare who are our partners for annual Big Coat Day collection, where FC United supporters and wider public donate warm clothing for the homeless.
“Lifeshare open their offices on Christmas Day, but they have limited facilities for the homeless to take a shower.
“I immediately thought that we should use our facility, as not only have we changing and shower facilities here at Broadhurst Park, we also have a large function room, kitchen facilities and access to a range of activities.
“I liaised with Rough Sleepers Initiatives to get the message around the city and already the response has been very positive.”
Toiletries and towels will be provided to allow everyone the opportunity to have a hot shower, as well as breakfast cooked in the function room which overlooks the pitch.
A range of activities will be available, including arts, table football, table tennis, pool, and Xbox and PlayStation 4 game consoles to add a bit of Christmas cheer to those attending.
A minibus, funded and driven by an FC United supporter, will pick people up from Piccadilly Gardens at 8.30am, 9.15am, 10am, 10.45am, 11.30am and 12.15pm and drop them back off in Manchester after.
FC United of Manchester, funded in 2005, is a community football club owned and democratically run by its members. Its corporate structure is a community benefit society and membership is open to all, with everyone an equal co-owner, holding one voting share in the club.
