WHEN Matt Evans arrived in Canterbury his future looked bleak.

The 20-year-old dad-to-be had been beaten up and stabbed in London and the violence forced him to flee the capital in search of a safer life.

After months of sofa-surfing he found a place in a city hostel run by homeless charity Porchlight and staff noticed his extraordinary footballing talent.

Now he has been selected from 1,200 hopefuls for a place in the England squad for the 2009 Homeless World Cup, where all the players have no permanent place to call their own, and will fly to Milan this week for the first game in the tournament.

Liz Crudgington interrupted his packing and training schedule to find out more.

How is the training going?

It's great. We go to Manchester once a month and train at Manchester United's indoor arena, where the first team train sometimes. The last session was for three nights and we trained every day and really got to know each other as friends. We're a really strong squad now and I'm looking forward to going to Milan. I also do training with Richard Barnard, my keyworker, who is a former semi-professional player and gives me great tips.

Are you feeling confident?

I think we can win it. I don't agree with losing. Every team I have been in, we have come out on top. I have never lost a final and I will do anything I can to help my team. They have got some pretty good teams out there, especially Italy and Brazil, but we will put up a battle. It's street soccer, four on four, and it's quick and really tough with lots of rules but I'm looking forward to it.

How were you selected for the squad?

My caseworker suggested I enter but I didn't want to because it seemed pointless with so many other people going for it. But he kept on at me and really supported me and eventually I agreed to go to the trials. We had sessions at Tottenham and Manchester and it went from 1,200 people to 10 over six months. I entered as an outfield player but they kept asking me to play in goal. I didn't really want to but one of the coaches said he saw something in me as a goalkeeper so I just went for it. I'm glad I did and actually goal is the most important position. If you make a save in the last minutes you can be the hero of the game.

Who do you support?

I'm a Millwall fan but I like Tottenham as well. But it was still fantastic to go to Manchester United and have a tour. I sat in Alex Ferguson's chair. I never thought I would be up there. I used to daydream about it but I never thought I would actually do it.

When did you start playing football?

My mum always says I could kick a ball before I could walk. I played as a kid at school and with my friends, but I started playing for a team when I was 11. It's every young boy's dream to play professionally but as I got a bit older I knew I wasn't going to be a Chelsea or United superstar but I would still like to be involved in the game. After the World Cup I'd like to do more coaching and teaching kids because I never had the support as a kid. I think I could have been a pretty good footballer if I'd had more of a chance. I would like to make a kid the next Wayne Rooney.

How did you become homeless?

When I left school I went to work with my uncle but I found it quite difficult, working with family, so I moved back in with my mum. But I didn't like the environment I was living in and I felt I could live independently on my own so after looking for a while I got my own flat. It was in a really rough area of London. There were a lot of gangs and I didn't want to get involved in stuff like that. There were fights every day and I was beaten up a couple of times. My flat was raided and once I was attacked with baseball bats.

What was the worst injury you suffered?

I was stabbed in the stomach once. That was my worst moment. I lived in that flat for almost three years but I was always looking over my shoulder and it was horrible. One day I just decided that enough was enough and that I couldn't live there if I wanted to make a success of my life. It was just too violent and so I left and started sleeping on friend's sofas until I heard about Porchlight. After a couple of interviews and quite a long process I was offered a place in the hostel. I always loved Canterbury and although I never saw myself living here I am glad I do. Sofa surfing is the hidden side of homelessness and it can either lead to rough sleeping or to getting some support and thanks to Porchlight I got the support.

Are you still in the hostel?

No, I'm in a shared Porchlight house with two friends. The staff decided I didn't need as much support as others and now I just get a visit from my key worker twice a month, although he's there if I need him in between. Without Porchlight I would have had to move back in with my mum or go and live with my nan. There's nothing wrong with our relationship, it's perfect, but I just need my own space.

How do you see your future?

I don't really look at the future as much as most people. I am just taking one step at a time and hoping for better things. The first step is Milan and the World Cup and the next step is finding a job then going slowly on from there. My girlfriend Jaye is pregnant so I need to find a job and provide for my family.

What sort of work would you like?

Anything in construction or electrical, or full-time football coaching - unless I get a football contract! There have been scouts at previous World Cups so there could be some there but I am not going to think abut that, I am just going to play as well as I can and focus on the match, not who might be watching.

What players do you admire?

David Beckham and Wayne Rooney. I like their style of football. They are world class players. The fame and the money is a bit of a bonus! My favourite keeper is Peter Schmeichel.

How did you meet your girlfriend?

That was down to Richard as well. It was at one of the activities he organised, swimming, and she was there too. We got talking and she said it was her birthday the next day so I invited her out for a drink and it all went from there. Richard has got about five couples together now - he's a great matchmaker but it's all by accident through the activities.

Who was your best friend at school?

Sean was my best mate from primary school. He's going to be the godfather of my son, who's due in December.

What would you say to children leaving school today?

I like hearing when people stay at school and do A levels and then go to university because I know they are going to make a success of their lives. If you do that you have half a decent chance of getting a decent job and you can live comfortably and not be struggling.