I am a former professional footballer that played nearly 700 games over 20 years as a pro.
During my career I’ve had plenty of high and lows. Two promotions, six relegations, scoring for Sierra Leone on my official debut I front of my proud (Sierra Leonean) dad, scoring in an FA Cup final but losing and then there were the injuries… I was fortunate to captain every side I played for, so was always seen as a leader and somebody who (I guess) was respected.
Since retiring I’ve become a full-time broadcaster with Sky Sports and work as a football agent with Unique Sports Group. In both roles I use my knowledge and experience of the beautiful game to analyse the game and in the latter role, help mentor the next crop of players coming through.
I was born in Leytonstone and grew up on a council estate in Leyton. We moved across the borough of Waltham Forest to Walthamstow but after my father was made redundant, we had to move back to council housing in Chingford.
I grew up sometimes wanting…but never needing for anything. I feel my desire to never be in the position my father found himself in after being made redundant was a driving force in my commitment to make it as a footballer, but if I couldn’t make it I was prepared to go to college/university and be in a position to make my way in the sport in one way or another. Fortunately, I did “make it” and one of the proudest moments of my life was when I was able to buy my mum and dad a house.
Since then, I’ve gone on to have a family of my own. Now living in Birmingham, I’ve been married to my wife Laura for nine years and we have four daughters (one from my previous relationship).
A lot of players have hobbies outside of football, but I’d honestly say my hobby is my kids. I don’t know if it stems from splitting with my ex-partner and wanting to spend as much time with my eldest as possible, but I’ve always found myself wanting to do whatever they are doing as they bring me more joy than anything else in this world.
Like every parent I’m sure, all I do now is to make sure my kids are able to have the opportunities that I wasn’t able to but moulding grateful and non-expectant little human beings.
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