There is nothing more stirring to the soul or gripping to the heart than football in Naples, but for those attempting to write their own stories in the shadow of Napoli’s Scudetto heroes, it also provides much-needed inspiration and strength.

The second club of the city was founded in 2009 under the name Afro Napoli United. They have featured a Maradona among their ranks, successfully lobbied Fifa, and had former players reach Serie A and European competition.

Over the course of its history, the club has climbed from the bottom of Italy’s footballing pyramid to its fifth tier. However, sporting success is just a happy by-product of their primary goal.

Fighting racism and discrimination is more important, as it helps migrants, asylum seekers, and young people at risk of exclusion find housing, jobs, and a secure future.

“For us, football isn’t just a sport, we grew up playing in the street, so it’s a way of life,” club director Luigi Di Nunzio said.

“It is our teacher, it is the way we get into contact with other people, how we share a space, how we respect one another.”

The game began as a regular pick-up game.

He and his colleagues often ran out of players, so they began asking strangers hanging around outside their office near Naples’ central station to join them.

As they soon discovered, many of the original group had travelled from Africa in search of work and opportunities, and Di Nunzio and his friends wanted to help their new team-mates find their feet in the city.

The two-way relationship was immediately apparent, which was very effective for both of us, explains Di Nunzio.

People with prejudices and biases towards migrants began to understand them and get in touch with them and suddenly began to lose all their prejudices.

Migrants found it to be the most effective way of integrating into society.