The future looks horrific. I fear more people will be without a home after fallout from pandemic

LOU MACARI had 46 people round for Christmas dinner.

- SIMON MULLOCK

But the former Scottish international is worried that the guest list next year will be a lot bigger.

Macari, 71, the midfielder who always punched above his weight for Celtic and Manchester United, has spent the last four years giving the homeless people of Stoke-on-Trent food, clothes, and a place to stay – as well as hope.

Drug addiction is a common theme among the people who sat down to a turkey feast with all the trimmings at the Macari Centre in Hanley.

And while Macari reacted to the unique dangers caused by the coronavirus by bringing 48 individual ‘glamping’ pods into the converted industrial unit on Regent Road, he is already planning to cater to those who are likely to lose their homes when the economic ramifications of the Covid pandemic really kick in.

“It’s fair to say that most of the people who are staying with us at the moment have always had pretty chaotic lives,” said Macari.

“Living rough on the streets had become a lifestyle for them and sometimes it can feel like mission impossible to get them clean because drug use has ruled their lives for years.