Vinnie Jones urges football fans to pick up a ball and play wherever they can

In partnership with Pepsi

The Wimbledon legend turned Hollywood actor was speaking to JOE as part of Pepsi’s new football campaign, ‘Where There’s A Ball There’s A Way’, which encourages fans around the world to challenge conventions and pick up a football in the pursuit of enjoyment.

Recalling how he discovered his love for football, Jones said: “Growing up as a kid, at five, six, seven years old, we’d play out on a bit of grass outside the house, and as it got darker you’d play under the street lamps.

“For me, I always had a ball under my arm when I was growing up. I brought people into it and people came and joined in.

“This is a fantastic campaign from Pepsi and we do need to encourage the next generation to overcome the hurdles in their way to pick up a football and play.”

Pepsi believes that football can unlock pure enjoyment for those who are “Thirsty for More” and ‘Where There’s A Ball There’s A Way’ is all about reminding fans that football doesn’t have to just be 22 players on a pristine pitch. As long as you’ve got a ball and the desire to play, then football can be played anywhere by anyone.

Speaking about the message of the campaign, the 1988 FA Cup winner said: “This is a strong message, you know? Where there’s a ball, there’s a way. It does what it says on the tin.

“If you have a desire to play football, you need to get yourself out there and not take no for an answer. Whether that’s kicking a ball against a wall on your own, passing between friends, or if there’s 10 to 20 of you, the power is in your hands to make it happen.

“Football is such a powerful tool for bringing communities together. That’s what it did with us growing up. If the ball went into one of the gardens, it would be one of the lads who’d jump over, get it, throw it back in and let’s go again!”

It was immediately obvious that the campaign message resonated with Vinnie on both a personal and professional level.

He explained: “In 1985, I went to Wembley to watch the cup final as a fan because I love the game. Three years later, I was actually walking out onto the Wembley pitch as a player in the cup final. That is how quickly life can change if you embrace this beautiful sport.

“So my message would be ‘don’t be content with being outside the gate and looking in. Try to unlock the gate, walk through it and embrace every opportunity that you can’.

“If you kick a football around early enough and often enough, no matter who you are, it will distinguish how many paths are in front of you and which one you want to take.”

And it’s not just a case of whether you make it as a pro or not, which Jones was keen to point out. He said: “There’s refereeing, there’s fans, we can all be brilliant at it and have a part in it.”

Pepsi has brought together some of the world’s greatest footballers in a new global campaign - “Where There’s A Ball There’s A Way” - which sees the brand unlock unexpected ways to play, both on and off the pitch.