Two Men, a Bus Shelter Seat, and The Many Who Wished They Had But That. An Interview with Matthew Harris
Presidents come and go with the wind in history, few finalising the double term vacancy and few more not even reaching the ending of their first. The word holds many meanings all determined by whom the question is asked, for one it may ignite fiery memories of Nixon, others better times with Barack. For me and the fellow people of the University of Sunderland it holds true no finer connection than that of Matthew ‘Matty’ Harris. The President of Football at the University of Sunderland.
I joined Matthew for a chat over a cup of coffee and a sandwich in our local café, nothing too serious at first glance, but then we dove into conversation. More specifically a conversation about his recent adventure, one that few would attempt. Mr Harris had just come home from having a weekend away in the great city of Manchester, however this wasn’t just any normal weekend away. Matthew had decided to partake in a ‘no plan weekend’, this meant that he would travel to Manchester and spend the entire weekend there, the only thing is he wouldn’t have any hotel bookings or any plan as to what exactly he would fill his time with. Most importantly he would do it all on a terrifying budget of just a few pounds. When asked why he opted to embark on this mission he handed the inspiration to a youtuber her frequently views. One by the name of Simon Wilson, a Vlogger who does these kinds of challenges regularly and on a much larger scale. For example, he is currently taking part in one where he has travelled to Hong Kong, with no money, and you can see how successful his mission is by going to his YouTube channel.
Unlike Wilson, Mr Harris didn’t carry out this task alone, he was accompanied by his friend from back home; Spencer. They arrived in Manchester after a gruelling bus journey down only to be welcomed by a terrible storm. Gail force winds and thunderous rains weren’t on Matty’s mind as he decided to carry out this weekend. Never the less mother nature didn’t care. His first task was to find a safe place to spend the first night (Friday), hostels and hotel rooms were out of the question for young Matthew, so he had to summon up more original ideas. Those came in the form of big M’s and large welcoming rooms. I am talking about twenty-four-hour McDonalds and hotel lobbies. After spending several hours sat around moping in the first choice they were reluctantly kicked out; after all they hadn’t bought a thing. The pair then opted for the more luxurious of the two options and made a more for the hotel lobbies. First, they were welcomed with The Hilton, where they would keep swapping between lounging around in the comfortable reception or are the rougher toilet seats. When regularly asked by the concierge about their intentions for their long-hauled stay in the lobby, they played it cool and simply responded with the tactic of “our mother is still out with her friend and she has our room key. So, we are just waiting for her”. Sadly, for them despite it being a cleverly thought-out ploy, there was a limit to the amount of times they could use it and that limit has caught them up. Resulting in them having to leave and find a second hotel. They continued to use this tactic of swapping between food joints and hotel receptions for the remainder of the evening, catching the odd half hour of sleep here and there.
The second day (Saturday) had arrived and this was a big one, their first full twenty-four-hour day in the city and they had to think of a plan. The light bulb above Spencer’s head shone bright early afternoon as he was blessed with the idea of visiting a casino. Now before you question their plan or going to a casino with no money, think well. Most casinos these days give new customers free bets when they create an account. One of these casinos was exactly what they searched long and hard to find. Find it they did, and to their surprise they each received ten pounds worth of free bets. They both agreed that any profits they made they would not bet, no. They would save it and use it for food and drinks to help strengthen their longevity. Gambling isn’t everyone’s game however and Lady Luck doesn’t shine her light on every hopeful soul. The boys realised this, half an hour spent praying for a reward, paid off but not once. Until they were down to their last two pounds, they saw a chance for bravery or misery and decided to place their remaining two points on roulette, and one pound on red, one pound on black twenty-five. The wheel spins, their eyes close with fear, silence falls (easily, after all it was only midday in a casino) and then they open to see the rewards be plenty. The ball had landed on none other than black twenty-five and turned their mere one pound into thirty-five. They followed this small yet heroic victory in the way any in their shoes would. With a meal for kings, Burger Kings for that matter. They ate, they drank and when they wouldn’t eat or drink anymore, then and only then did they move on.
With the remaining twenty pounds they gained a new found optimism, and with this they dared to dream, and dream big. They would try to get themselves into the Etihad Stadium for the Manchester City clash with Burnley. To their shock and joyful surprise, the away tickets were within their budget considering they were students, and they found themselves spending the afternoon watching a Man City masterclass and a Burnley howler. When asked about his Harris simply replied with “wasn’t actually sure if Man City were just that good, or Burnley were just that awful”, one of life’s great mysteries.
With the game come to an end and all their money spent they welcomes the streets of Manchester with some evening walks, ones that most would enjoy if they were in fact heading somewhere and not just in circles. After the adventures and sightseeing became a drag, they welcomed their old friends; McDonalds, hotel lobbies and receptions. But also new ones for this fine evening, in the form of bus stations. When asked Matty claimed that the highlight of his weekend wasn’t in fact seeing one of the best football teams in the world play football, but in fact that one bus shelter seat that welcomed him like a brother. Not only were they cushioned and comfortable but they also were heated, providing the tired pair with a Safe place to rest that they had longed for since they arrived in the city. Even managing a to obtain a few hours’ sleep in the place so beautiful to them, under the surface.
The next day came and with the sunrise the knowledge from the pair that they were going home. After a somewhat eventful couple of days and ones they would remember for the years to come. They were incredibly grateful that their bus was but an hour away. Matthew said that it was one of the strangest yet most rewarding and eye-opening weekends of his life. He claimed that he would have great enthusiasm if a similar situation and opportunity arose, he claimed he would love for it to take a step-up next time. Perhaps for a longer time or even for a foreign country. Despite the level of interest, I had in this adventure of theirs there was just the one area I couldn’t help but question him on.
The homeless crisis that seems to be sweeping the city whilst also being swept under the radar of most social media and news platforms. A study in 2018 found that one in every thousand people in Manchester are homeless, with numbers reaching around five hundred within the city centre. If you were the visit Manchester you would see the problem for yourself. The streets are lined with tents and makeshift housing made from cardboard boxes and tarps, with beggars and rough sleepers around every corner. In 2017, 21 homeless people died in the city, three more than in Birmingham and four more than in Liverpool. Task forces are being out together to tackle the problem but its far too late for any drastic change to be made quickly. When James Brokenshire, The Housing Secretary was asked about the rising problem he informed the Guardian that “we are investing £1.2bn to tackle homelessness and have bold plans backed by £100m to end rough sleeping for good. Councils have used this funding to create an additional 1,750 beds and 500 rough sleeping support staff.”
Manchester’s homeless numbers have risen by thirty-four percent in the last year, without radical investment of body money and man power, where will they be at within the next year? Or five years? Or ten even?
