Former Chelsea star spends day with offenders (From Wandsworth Guardian)

Former Chelsea star Kerry Dixon visits Wandsworth rehab football programme

11:45am Friday 9th November 2012 in News By Jamie Henderson

Former England and Chelsea striker Kerry Dixon joined a group of offenders last week as they took part in a football-based rehabilitation scheme.

Dixon, the second highest goalscorer in Chelsea's history, dropped by the Wandle Recreation Centre, in Mapleton Road, on Wednesday (November 7) for a training session organised by sport development programme Air Football.

The organisation has been working with Wandsworth Council's Drugs Intervention Programme (DIP) team, which is part of the borough's Integrated Drug and Alcohol Service (IDAS).

Together they have been using football as a platform to engage with offenders - some of whom have experienced or are battling drug or alcohol-related problems.

Air Football, which runs two sessions each week, only launched the scheme with Wandsworth's DIP team recently - but those taking part have already triumphed in a football tournament boasting teams from across London , Kent and Essex.

Wandsworth's DIP team works with prison staff and police and probation officers to help rehabilitate offenders.

For more information visit www.airfootball.co.uk.