On the surface, Kickabout Sheffield may seem like an any other amateur football league but for founder Mat Hook, it is the reason he is still here today…
Behind the games ran by the FA affiliated league, is the story of how Sheffield’s community saved one man’s life. In 2013, Mat Hook’s rise to stardom was cut short when his growing Sheffield band Kartica split up. Having already had his childhood dream curbed, the misfortune continued. Within the span of only eighteen months, things began to unravel. Mat lost his 9-5 office job, split with the mother of his 1-year old child and was relegated to visits, his father tragically died of brain cancer, and his brother also developed cancer (which he thankfully survived).
The traumatic run of events took Mat to the edge. The once nationwide touring musician who had shared the stage with members of The Jam, wowed Daryl Hall, and rubbed shoulders with ex-England football players, was ready to end it all, if not for his 7-a-side football team.
“This developed into a real shot in the dark at starting my own league. The decision to do so was done in one day. I registered a website that morning, spoke to the local FA that afternoon and roughly 3 months later, I had 6 teams of amateur footballers heading down to play every Wednesday.”
Beginning with a completely grassroots attitude, Mat supervised himself with the help of one other referee. The difference between this club and the others? Mat had quite literally given it his life. Fast forward 3 years to present day and Kickabout Sheffield has 28 teams of some of the best amateur, semi-pro, and even a few professional footballers, in the city.
The success of the club has transformed Mat’s life to the point where he is able to pursue music again. Coming out from the shadow of Kartica’s legacy (where he had even had his music played by Sheffield United before and during half time at games), Mat Hook released his first solo single ‘Runaway Road (Live Acoustic at Son of the City Studio)’ August 23rd, 2022. A stripped back acoustic track, the single chronicles the emotional journey that has brought Mat to the positive place he thankfully finds himself in today.