Co-Founder of Saving Souls Hub Tristan Gordon shares his Reclaimed Narrative as part of Black History Month 2024 with London FA. Tristan shares his journey of football through notorious London clubs, the incredible talent which has blossomed from the freedom of football in the capital, and who inspires him to serve his community. 

"Football has been in my life since I was 2 when my father first introduced a football to me. Growing up, I have been an Arsenal fan and a general football fanatic watching football whenever possible. Football to me is expression, togetherness, giving my absolute all and a safe space to come together and be competitive. 

"My experience in playing football started at junior level aged 9, playing for a local community football team where my father eventually became my coach, whilst also playing for my primary school team. I went on to play for various grassroot teams such as Caribb, Peckham Town, Charlton Athletic Community FC, then going up to semi pro level with Erith town and Rochester. I now continue to play football at vets’ level for FC Kawooya, a team made in memory of a talented childhood friend who passed away in the USA on a soccer scholarship back In 2008. I was inspired by watching the minimal black players In Italian Football such as Paul Ince, Ronaldo Natalie and Clarence Seedorf and knowing Ian Wright and Rocastle came from literally up the road from me. 

"The change in football from when I was young has been good. Children are now given the freedom to express their playing style, and it is definitely more technical from grassroots to academies- though social media has put pressure on some parents to push their children to be good enough to be noticed. On the other hand, social media has allowed access to see what the levels are that you need to reach, to prosper. 

"The there are more grassroots teams, who provide free football in safe spaces, with 1:1 coaching available for parents to upskill their children, and the academies provide access to talent. The pathway to becoming a professional footballer looks more attainable, although the competition for places is even more competitive. If you simply look in the premiership the amount of local talent nationwide is becoming more visible to younger footballers to look up to. 

"I am inspired by Malcom X to reclaim one’s narrative. He reinvented himself once he educated himself and served his community selflessly, to the point of losing his life for the said cause. I am definitely in alignment with reinventing myself with the aid of consistent education which will support me in serving my community. 

"A lot of talent continues to be produced where I am from In Lewisham, and South London in general. A Lot of my peers have created football teams supporting the younger generation, coaching with prem teams and teams abroad. For me this is inspiring as football is a universal language, that gives opportunity to change lives, whether playing or coaching. 

"We can look back in recent history and see that people have been marginalised and disrespected playing a sport they love and today we can see Vini at Real Madrid still experiencing those struggles to be appreciated as a black player having to play with a lot of resilience while being abused. While a lot more players are becoming pundits, we still need to see some in managerial positions. 

"Being able to access football is important to me as football is a part of my being, it is a therapeutic hobby whether playing or observing, with the hope of going into coaching in the near future as my children have taken the interest in football without any persuasion from me. I have seen some of the hardest to engage children and young people develop their social skills, behaviour and character, while really enjoying the free football provided by various organisations such as Saving Souls Hub."