WITH their Rolex watches, sports cars and colossal wages, footballers are often criticised for being clueless about the real world.
But many grew up knowing the harsh realities all too well — and are now giving back.
Watford skipper Troy Deeney pictured with puils at specialist Garston Manor School in WatfordCredit: Troy Deeney Foundation
Marcus Rashford succeeded in getting ministers to U-turn and provide free school meals for vulnerable children over the summerCredit: AFP or licensors
Like Manchester United and England forward Marcus Rashford, 22, who was raised on a council estate by a single mum, and whose recent campaign got the Government to cough up for free school meals for vulnerable children over the summer.
Two other Three Lions doing their bit are Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson, 29, who helped set up footballers’ fundraising campaign Players Together to support NHS heroes during the pandemic, and Manchester United defender Harry Maguire, 27, helping vulnerable people in his home city of Sheffield.
Another Premier League man on a mission is Watford skipper Troy Deeney.
Striker Troy, 31, remembers, as a child growing up on a Birmingham council estate, opening the door of his home to find debt collectors demanding money from his hard-pressed single mum, Emma.
She did three jobs to support Troy and his four younger siblings but it still was not enough to make ends meet.
‘GIVE SOMETHING BACK’
Money was tight because Troy’s birth dad left home when he was a baby and his stepdad, Paul Burke, who he always considered his true father, was in and out of jail.
Those troubled times remain scorched on Troy’s memory — and three years ago inspired him to set up the Troy Deeney Foundation for children with learning disabilities and life-limiting illnesses.
Projects have included funding a multi-sports area at specialist Garston Manor School in Watford where there are pupils with autism and speech and language problems.
Troy, who is reportedly paid £65,000 a week, says: “I’ve long since wanted to give something back.”
That desire comes, also, from a darker time in his playing career.
Troy remembers opening the door to find debt collectors demanding money from his hard-pressed single mum EmmaCredit: Instagram
Deeney seen in action for Watford last yearCredit: Reuters
Troy’s troubled memories remain inspired him to set up the Troy Deeney Foundation for children with learning disabilities and life-limiting illnessesCredit: Twitter @TheTDFoundation
Troy Deeney and his beautiful model girlfriend Alisha Hosannah
In 2012, Troy was sentenced to ten months in prison for kicking a student in the head during a drunken night out in Birmingham.
While the player was doing his time — in the end just two months after he was ruled to have shown genuine remorse — other inmates told him not to waste the opportunities he had as a footballer. At the time he was a 23-year-old talent in the game’s second tier — where Watford then played — but with a chance to make a bigger name for himself.
He recalls how a fellow lag who had lived near him before jail told him: “You’ve got to understand how big of an opportunity you’ve got. Not only for you, but to show kids from around our area that they don’t have to be like us.”
Troy, who has two children by ex-wife Stacey, knew he had to set a positive example both to his own kids and those from his old neighbourhood.
Having been troubled with aggressive impulses, he turned to a psychologist for help. He now sees the error of his old ways and how he blew his footballing riches on booze and bling rather than some-thing worthwhile.
He recalls: “Being exposed to money was a whole different thing to me. I was just a d***head, I didn’t know how to handle it.”
FUNDRAISING GALA
But he came to realise there are only so many flash cars one person can buy. Having bought a home for his mum and helped out other family members, Troy set about doing his bit for the wider community.
For him, though, it was about more than just signing a cheque then forgetting the people he was helping.
He wanted to get involved with the projects, seeing how they tick and raising awareness. He says: “This is going to be a long stint for me, not just a gesture.”
Troy regularly visits Garston Manor School and has the word autism inscribed on his football boots because he is so passionate about the issue.
Arsenal and England legend turned TV pundit Ian Wright, 56, and ex-JLS singer Marvin Humes, 35, now a Capital Radio DJ, were among guests at the foundation’s first charity gala in 2017.
Since then Troy has also visited Antigua to see work his found-ation has been doing in a school on the Caribbean isle.
He feels foot-ballers earning six- figure sums each week are “an easy target” for criticism.
But many of them, he points out, do work for the less fortunate that goes unheralded. He says: “We all have charities, foundations, we all give to people.”
‘Everyone wanted to do something to help, and to do it together made it even more powerful’
Liverpool skipper Jordan Henderson is a leader on the pitch – and has also demanded the best from footballers off the field of play.
When the Covid-19 lockdown began in March there were calls for mega-rich Premier League stars to take pay cuts so money could be channelled to the greater good.
England midfielder Jordan Henderson persuaded the captains of the Premier League teams to support our NHS heroesCredit: Getty – Contributor
But many Premier League players refused to accept an across-the-board reduction in their wages.
One who wanted to do something positive during this national crisis was England midfielder Jordan, 29.
He persuaded the captains of the Premier League teams to get behind a way of supporting our NHS heroes.
They set up Players Together, which aims to raise £20million for health workers, volunteers and patients in this country.
So far £4million has been handed out, but Jordan says that more is to come.
The said: “Everyone wanted to do something. To do it together made it even more powerful.
RIVAL SIDES COME TOGETHER
“We made sure the funds were going in the right place. Hopefully there is more to come in the near future.”
The funds are paying for food, drinks, iPad-style tablets, counselling support and suitable places for staff to rest.
Jordan has been praised for the way he galvanised the sport, bringing rival sides together to support one cause.
Former Liverpool forward Stan Collymore said Jordan deserved to be honoured with an MBE or CBE and Reds’ legend Steven Gerrard described him as a “role model.”
It is not the first good work Jordan has done for charity, with the player helping food banks, donating money to a fund for stabbed 18-year-old Sunderland teenager Connor Brown and laying on a party for underprivileged children.
‘There’s always been a sense of community and it is more important than ever at the moment’
Hardman centre-back Harry Maguire has never been one to dodge a challenge – and has proved himself a grafter for good causes during the pandemic.
The Manchester United and England defender has not only been a key force behind Players Together, with Jordan Henderson, he has ensured elderly residents in lockdown in his home city of Sheffield get the help they need.
Harry Maguire has made sure elderly residents received the food they needed during the lockdownCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Harry Maguire has done his bit in the past for Soccer Aid and Unicef
Brought up in the Mosborough area on the city’s outskirts, Harry decided to help out those locals who were most vulnerable.
With his dad, he arranged for a shop to send food packages and other essentials to all residents aged 70 and over.
Harry, who signed for Man United from Leicester last year for £80million, said: “There’s always been a real sense of community in the area, which is more important than ever at the moment. I just wanted to do something to help those who need it most.”
He is reported to earn £200,000 a week. But the down-to-earth star offered 30 per cent of his wage to good causes when lockdown hit and encouraged teammates to make a similar gesture.
He has also helped promote fundraising by the Manchester United Foundation for Covid-19-related charities.
The chance to enjoy a “virtual hangout” with the fans’ favourite was the first prize offered up in their raffle.
Could Marcus Rashford be honoured with a knighthood after school meals campaign?
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
