Merseyside Police join Freddie Flintoff’s “Field of Dreams” to inspire young cricketers

Merseyside Police have teamed up with former England cricketer and TV personality Freddie Flintoff in the latest episode of the BBC1 series Field of Dreams, which aired on Sunday 21 September.

In a surprise twist, officers – including Deputy Chief Constable Chris Green – took to the pitch at Firwood Bootle Cricket Club to face off against a group of young people in a friendly, but competitive, cricket match.

The game was a powerful moment of connection, designed to break down barriers and build trust between police and local young people.

Sergeant Mike Almond, captain of the Merseyside Police cricket team, who played in the match, said: “To see these young lads take up a sport they knew little about, some never having had the opportunity to play, and then come together as a team, really shows how sport, not just cricket, can unite people from different backgrounds around a common goal.

“When we arrived, it was clear that many weren’t thrilled about playing ‘the bizzies’, but through genuine interaction and playing the game in the right spirit, something shifted. By the end, they were shaking our hands, having tea together, sharing stories and listening to ours too. That mutual understanding helped break down barriers.

“I know from what our team said afterwards, it gave real perspective – they saw the person behind the uniform. We may come from different walks of life, but we can share common interests and goals. Hopefully, future interactions will continue to build on this positive experience.”

The series, now in its third season, sees Freddie Flintoff take on his biggest challenge yet: transforming lives in some of the North West’s most deprived communities through the power of grassroots cricket. Firwood Bootle Cricket Club, alongside clubs in Manchester and Blackpool, has been selected to take part in this inspiring journey.

Freddie takes on the challenge of forming a boys’ team in Liverpool, bringing together young people who have faced significant hurdles, including neurodiversity, school exclusion and experiences with or risks of criminality. The club is designed to be a safe haven where they can build confidence, feel a sense of belonging, and focus on positive futures.

Merseyside Police has been working closely with Firwood Bootle Cricket Club since 2024. The partnership has been led by Constable Andrew Holsgrove from the Community Engagement Team, who has played a key role in supporting the club’s mission.

By using sport, and cricket in particular, as a tool for outreach, the initiative has focused on crime prevention and youth engagement, helping to steer young people away from negative influences and towards more positive futures.

Constable Holsgrove has also helped the club in securing vital funding to enhance its facilities – including improved CCTV, fencing, and cricket training equipment – and to deliver youth programmes designed to offer positive alternatives and long-term support for young people in the community.

Deputy Chief Constable Chris Green said: "We know that building trust takes time, but moments like this, where we meet young people on their turf, doing something they love, are brilliant opportunities to connect and show that we are all part of the same community.

“It was brilliant meeting and playing against each of those lads, some incredible talent and you could see the guidance they had had from Freddie and the coaches and the respect they had for them.  

“We’re committed to working with partners like Firwood Bootle Cricket Club to create safer, stronger communities and prevention is at the heart of that. By engaging early and positively with young people, we can help steer them away from poor choices and negative influences and towards brighter futures.

“I won’t spoil the result of the match, but it was certainly competitive! Hopefully, it showed the young people that there’s more to the uniform – we’re people too, and we’re here to support them."

Constable Holsgrove added: "This project is about more than sport, it’s about showing young people that they are seen, valued, and supported. Cricket has become a bridge between the police and the community, and we’re proud to be part of something that’s making a real difference.

“By helping the club secure funding for improved facilities and youth programmes, we’re creating more opportunities for young people to feel safe, supported and part of something positive in their community.”

Freddie Flintoff’s Field of Dreams continues to shine a light on the transformative power of sport, and Merseyside Police are proud to play a role in supporting young people to reach their full potential.

Catch up on Freddie Flintoff’s Field of Dreams on BBC iPlayer.