PAUL Procter is living proof of the benefits that the Social Inclusion Football League can have on those players involved.

The 40-year-old is battling hard to conquer his demons and admits football has been one of his biggest salvations.

Procter, who has mental health and addiction problems, joined the league just over a year ago and says it has been one of the best things that has happened to him.

He said: "I was bad; drinking, in to drugs, getting in and out of trouble with the police but now I have got something to look forward to.

"When you have mental health problems and addiction problems, you just live life from day to day. You are basically just existing.

"But when we have got the football, it gives us something to look forward to."

Procter is a key member of Men Dive In FC who were crowned Division Two champions. But it is the work he does off the pitch that is just as important than the work he does on it.

"I like to help the new players who come along who maybe feel a bit uncomfortable or lack a bit on confidence," he said. "I speak to them and tell them I used to be like that when I first joined and that they would be alright.

"The league is like a big support network. It's like a little community and it is fantastic, we are all their to play football but also there to support each other."

Procter says his family and friends have also benefited from the support and help the league has given him.

"My family have seen a big change in me," he said. "I've come out of my shell, I've stopping drinking, not taking drugs, not getting in trouble with the police and I have given up smoking as well.

"They can see a massive difference in me, with the football and other stuff I do as well.

"I am not stuck in at home on my own any more, feeling isolated or feeling suicidal. It brings me out and I have seen a big change in the other lads as well.

"When we play, it gives players a day off from their day-to-day struggles. We can forget about the outside world and just play football."

We have a future and we meet up with other team members and it is great and it picks morale up and it makes us feel good.

And when we are winning stuff as well it is just amazing.

: - people coming together as a community and looking after each other.

"It is bringing people together, it is getting them out of their houses and integrating them, it gives them something to look forward to.

It keeps me out of trouble and it keeps other lads out of trouble. It is like a big support network. It's like a little community and it is fantastic, we are all their to play football but also there to support each other.

"There are players who come in and lack a bit of confidence and I speak to them and tell them I used to be like that when I first joined and that they would be alright. Just relax and take your time.

When they get on the pitch and get better, learn to control the ball and perhaps score a goal or two then it is a massive uplift and the confidence is there. It is unbelievable.

"People turn up and go away with a spring in their step. It might be all doom and gloom having a hard time at home, surviving but after we have played football....

Football is a good connection, everyone has something in common. Everyone has an opinion on the game.

It brings people together.

People feeling comfortable talking to people who have experienced the same difficulties....

My family have seen a big change in me. Ive come out of my shell, I've stopping drinking, not taking drugs, not getting in trouble with the police and I have given up smoking as well. They can see a massive difference in me.

With the football and other stuff I do as well.

I am not stuck in, feeling isolated or feeling suicidal it brings me out and I am seen a big change other lads as well.