We were blown away by his extremely generous donation. Bunrong was so happy to hear his flight was paid for.
David has been hanging out and meeting the Cambodian players every year since Melbourne in 2008 and is very welcoming to them. In Santiago last year he gave all our team an actual replica of the Scottish national team kit jersey. They were so proud and have been seen running around the streets of Phnom Penh in the Scotland kit.
David played for Scotland at the Gothenburg 2004 Homeless World Cup when he was homeless battling issues with alcohol following the death of his father. David’s experience inspired him. When he returned home, he pursued a career in football coaching and completed his Scottish Football Association coaching badges.
David became the assistant coach for Team Scotland at the Edinburgh 2005 Homeless World Cup and he rose to become manager and lead Team Scotland to victory at the Copenhagen 2007 Homeless World Cup beating Poland 9-3. The same week David collected the keys to his new home.
David has now set up Street Soccer Scotland to use football to help homeless people in Scotland. The organisation provides weekly coaching sessions, an academy providing essential life skills, and a Street Soccer National League.
The Homeless World Cup was the rope that allowed me to pull myself out of a very dark hole. It helped me and now I can help others. When homeless people say to me I can’t change, I say yes you can. I did. So can you.
- David Duke
