WITH no home to go to, Kevin Wilson was once reduced to sleeping rough.

But those days are far behind him now the 22-year-old soccer player has been picked to play for his country in an alternative World Cup.

Kevin will be the England goalie in the Homeless World Cup in Gothenburg, Sweden, in July.

He lives in a flat in Marsh, thanks to Huddersfield-based Shap - short for the Single Homeless Accommodation Project.

But at the time of his trials he had no place to stay.

The trials took place at Manchester United's former training ground, The Cliff.

More than 100 homeless people from around the country took part.

The best eight were chosen to represent their country in the four-a-side contest.

While growing up, Kevin was cared for by foster parents Janet and Dennis Gullivan in Moldgreen for about 10 years with foster brother Anthony, 25.

A delighted Kevin said: "I'm the only one on the team from Yorkshire."

His place was confirmed at the weekend. "That was the best weekend of my life. This is the best thing I have ever done."

He plays in a five-a-side Huddersfield league and trains at the Leeds Road sports centre with Shap once a week.

Kevin has also played for Kirkheaton FC and King James' School, Almondbury.

Richard Brown, managing director of the Big Issue in the North magazine, said: "The first Homeless World Cup exceeded everyone's expectations and had a huge impact on each person that took part.

"Following the event, two of the England team players were signed up by Hendon FC. One started a football coaching course and another was reunited with his family. The benefits of the project are very real."

* The Homeless World Cup takes place between July 25 and August 1 in Gothenburg (left).

* It is an international event that uses the positive power of football to help raise the issue of homelessness and poverty.

* Taking part are 32 teams from countries including England, Scotland, Wales, the USA, Holland, Poland, South Africa, Peru, Namibia and Ukraine.

* The winners of last year's inaugural tournament were host team Austria, beating England in the final in Graz.