Elisabeth Anderton’s journey to becoming a force in football for good is as unique as it is inspiring. Her story begins on a sofa, watching Liverpool FC with her father, captivated by the roar of stadiums during World Cups and the electric thrill of club matches. Yet her path wound through surprising places: a career in show business, a passion for music that once brought her center stage at IFK Göteborg’s games, and a volunteer stint with a street magazine in Stockholm. That’s when a simple question became her life’s calling: Could football change lives? She answered by founding Gatans Lag FF, a football club dedicated to supporting people experiencing homelessness and addiction. Now, as IFK Göteborg’s Sustainability Manager, Elisabeth leverages the power of football to unite and uplift her city. Here, she shares her journey, insights into the future of football for good, and her commitment to ensuring the sport leaves a lasting impact on communities.

Bonito: Elisabeth, thanks so much for doing this, we have known eachother for a long time since even before sportf or development was on the radar in Sweden- you have been a pioneer in transforming swedish football for good and we are so happy to have you on the Bonito platform!

Elisabeth: It has indeed been a long time! im delighted to be on the Bonito platform.

Bonito: Tell us about how your passion for football began and how you were captivated to explore the ways the game could bring about positive changes for society? 

Elisabeth: As a child, I spent many hours on the sofa with my dad, watching Liverpool games and World Cups, moments that sparked my earliest love for football. In my teenage years, I played football but eventually leaned into basketball, which became my main sport. I also played the saxophone, and performing with my orchestra at IFK Göteborg home games—especially when they faced international teams or rivals in Allsvenskan—immersed me in the powerful energy of live matches.

My passion for music and acting eventually led me to show business, and while performing in Stockholm, I began volunteering with a street magazine supporting people experiencing homelessness and addiction. Around the same time, I learned of the first Homeless World Cup and started organizing football training sessions for street vendors. This experience inspired me to found Gatans Lag FF, a football club for those facing homelessness and addiction, beginning a journey of using football for social good. Today, working with football clubs and organizations both nationally and internationally remains a true privilege.

Bonito: Thats so cool, I never knew that you began in music and acting!

Bonito: Why do you think football evokes such powerful sentiments with such a broad range of people all over the world?

Elisabeth: It´s very easy- thats the key! You hardly even need a football to be able to join the game. I’ve seen kids putting out branches or stones as goals and using several things that they´ve formed as a football and then the game is on. It´s played in all parts of the world and even if you don´t play it almost everyone have some kind of relationship to it.



Bonito: Tell us about some of the projects you are currently working on or recently have worked on in the football for good arena?

Elisabeth: IFK in the community, IFK på Schemat/Skol-IF and Young Fellows are some projects Im quite excited about.

IFK på Schemat” (“IFK on the Schedule”) is a long-running project designed to promote friendship and the joy of movement during school hours, particularly in schools where IFK Göteborg, or organized sports in general, is not a regular part of students’ lives. The initiative, responding to interest from students and parents alike, seeks to provide children and teens with a sense of belonging within a sports club. In 2023, IFK Göteborg launched Skol-IF (School Sports Club) in various city schools. Each Skol-IF has a student-led board, empowering young people to take an active role in the club. Weekly activities foster camaraderie, movement, and fun, with activity leaders serving as role models who embody IFK Göteborg’s vision and values, creating a welcoming sports environment for all.

At Young Fellows, a group of boys and girls aged 9 to 15 gathers at each match to cheer on IFK Göteborg (Blåvitt) to victory. Here, the kids attend without parents, instead being guided by leaders from IFK Göteborg who cultivate a positive supporter culture centered on friendship, responsibility, and respect.

We’re incredibly proud of the atmosphere at our games, and through Young Fellows, we aim to reflect our mission of being the team for the entire city. This initiative offers a fantastic opportunity to welcome more young people into IFK Göteborg’s supportive community, providing an ideal environment for youth from across Gothenburg to take their first steps as dedicated fans, grounded in camaraderie, responsibility, and mutual respect.

Bonito: In what way are football clubs like IFK Göteborg in a special place to have a positive impact on the cities they represent?

Elisabeth: We are not an authority but a football club with a lot of trust. We are not a short time project but a long lasting club with a huge fanbase and supporters who represent all kinds of social conditions. 

Bonito: You were instrumental in bringing Cruyff Courts to Sweden in 2018. Can you tell us about that process and how the courts have been doing in the three communities they serve in Göteborg?

Elisabeth:

Bonito: Where do you see the football/sport for social good field heading in the next years? Which thematic areas will be most important to deal with and what are the big challenges awaiting sport for good practitioners?

Elisabeth: I believe international policies and directives such as SDG form an example will play a bigger part which I like.
I´m hoping and I do believe that the holistic perspective will be more important through the whole organization from board members, staff and participants.

Bonito: Can you tell us about a moment in your football (or sport) for social good journey that touched your heart profoundly?

Elisabeth: I’ve had the honor of working in football for good for many years, and along the way, I’ve met people who, at one time, neither they nor those around them thought they would survive for long. Today, these same individuals have families, jobs, or are pursuing education, living fulfilling lives. Witnessing them build self-confidence and push themselves to achieve things they once thought impossible, all with the support of their teammates, truly touches my heart.

Bonito: Is there one colleague at your organization or who you have collaborated with who maybe doesn’t always get the spotlight that you would like to shine today and why?

Elisabeth: I have many colleagues who would deserve all shine, but I would like to mention one; Frankie Boayke who is a coach in our P19 – team and also works at Lärjeskolan. Frankie has done so much for so many youngsters in Angered. He is a great coach and person. 

 

BIO

Name: Elisabeth Anderton

Organization (s): IFK Göteborg

Role: Sustainability Manager

Favorite Football (or sport) for good organization apart from your own: Cruyff Foundation and Homeless World Cup

Favorite Football Club: Liverpool FC