Ten years ago life looked very different for Premier League Kicks Hero Andrew Powell.
Struggling to find direction, Andrew started mixing with the wrong crowd and getting into trouble on an estate in Southampton.
"My mum was a single mum, raising four boys, so you know what that can be like with four brothers in one house," he says. "I wasn't the best kid to get along with.
"I was quite angry and had a bit of an attitude.
"There were no venues to play football and when you are hanging around with the wrong people, you think that there is nothing else to do but be a little so and so."
But 10 years ago, the Premier League Kicks programme was launched, and after seeing flyers about the new project, Andrew and his friends went to a session run by the Saints Foundation.
"We just thought it was a great opportunity to get involved in football; it jumped out at us.
"I can remember that first session. There were loads of people there that we had never met before.
Tonight Andy revisited @Woodlands_CC, where his Kicks journey began! #PierreEmileHøjbjerg was on hand to give Andy his award👏 #PLKicksHeroes pic.twitter.com/4sL9tCO7yU
— Saints Foundation (@SFC_Foundation) February 8, 2017
"There were a few older people and it was a little bit daunting at first because I didn't know anyone but it was very welcoming."
Andrew and his friends soon became PL Kicks regulars, attending three sessions a week at Woodlands Community College.
"The coaches offered help and support, I could socialise with different people and make new friends while there were lots of other opportunities like playing in tournaments, so there were a fair few things that made me want to go all of the time."
Saints Foundation coaches could see Andrew's potential and he began to help out with setting up the sessions, a task he performed so well that a role as a PL Kicks coach soon followed.
"It felt amazing to get the job. It was my chance to help and support the participants, especially the ones that were in my shoes, getting in trouble and not the easiest kids to get along with."
Andrew's progress did not stop there.
After nurturing his coaching talent with PL Kicks, he completed the Saints Futsal and Education Scholarship and now works as a Saints Foundation Futsal coach.
"I would not be in this position if it was not for PL Kicks. I can't believe how much I have changed. My mum is proud and overwhelmed about how much I have changed as well.
"Kicks helped me not be so angry because of the support from the coaches. They don't just treat you like a participant. They talk to you if you have got any problems and they go the extra mile to make sure you are enjoying yourself."
To recognise his commitment and his development, Andrew has been named Southampton's Premier League Kicks Hero, a campaign which recognises participants and coaches involved in the programme.
Andrew's story has been immortalised in a comic strip designed by Marvel and DC Comics artist John McCrea.
See: Andrew Powell's PL Kicks Heroes comic strip
"PL Kicks means so much to me," Andrew says. "The coaches are still down there working hard, trying to help young people like me get to where I am today.
"It's just an amazing project to be involved with and to work for. Everything about Kicks is just incredible. When I was younger I did not think for a split second that something like this would happen to me.
"As for the future, I'll keep working hard and try to help our scholars here as much as I have been helped."
