A Newcastle United fan has been instrumental in the resurgence of a Zambian football team, the Mfuwe Mags, who are now chasing promotion to the third tier of Zambian football. Crispin Mason-Jones began supporting the club in 2022 when it faced financial collapse, struggling to afford basic equipment and travel costs.
Four years later, Mason-Jones continues to provide the men's team with shirts, boots, and travel assistance. The senior squad now comprises 25 players, and the club has also expanded to include a women's team, the Mfuwe Mags Queens, who also receive kit from Mason-Jones.
Beyond the Mfuwe Mags, Mason-Jones collects unwanted football kit from non-league clubs across the North East of England. Earlier this month, shirts, shorts, and socks were distributed to hundreds of children across 25 schools around Mfuwe, with the help of football recycling charities.
Additionally, Project Luangwa, an organisation working in the area, received a $150,000 grant from Fifa's Global Citizen Education Fund in July. This grant, the first of its kind for Zambia, is intended to develop sporting opportunities in Mfuwe, including facilities for football, tennis, basketball, and netball.