How football influenced my British Identity
Growing up in inner-city London, football is likely going to be a big part of your life, regardless of your ethnic background. Born in Bangladesh, I was brought over to the UK soon after turning 8months old, and before the age of 10, I had lived at 4 different addresses. All of them were located in and around North West London, in the Borough of Hampstead, Camden and Islington. The closest club to us, was Arsenal, a team that became my affliction, and indeed my gateway into the beautiful game, both as a young player and as a fan.
Supporting Arsenal wasn’t an active decision, it was the club my dad supported and it was the team that I watched the most. Players like Fabregas, Nasri, Wilshere, Rosicky, epitomised the beautiful football Arsenal became renowned for playing under Arsenal Wenger, and I wanted nothing more than to emulate it. At the time I was small and not the quickest, but neither were these players, they played with elegance.
I wanted to play just like that, and by 7, I was signed up to the local Under 9s football team. Youth football can be ruthless at times. I lived in a multicultural part of the country so I was fortunate to not experience any racism. Most of us were minorities from working-class backgrounds, but most importantly all of us were kids - we just wanted to play. But a chubby ladof Asian descent was never gonna be the first pick. Playing in the Regents Park league was different.
At this point in my early teens, I had a better understanding of the world. I knew not every young person was a friend, and I understood not every adult was a guardian. If you wanted to be taken seriously, you either had to throw your weight around, or you had to perform on the pitch. I’d heard the stories of racism towards minority players, the different expectations that were ascribed to us. My solution was I was determined to train hard to show otherwise.
Looking back, I wonder how many young people adopt this sentiment, not just in football but in other walks of life. Is it right to have to be twice as polite and hardworking as the man next to you, just to be treated with respect? We shouldn’t have to prove we’re a particular category of person to be treated with dignity. Our ability should be determined by what we offer in training and on the pitch, not our background and baseless stereotypes.
It is wonderful looking back to realise that I recall mostly positive memories. My team was predominantly white and middle class - you can count the lads from working-class backgrounds on one hand, and I was the only Asian. The environment was very different from school and I was nervous to express myself. But my teammates and coaches never made me feel out of place, and in fact, were more supportive than I could’ve imagined.
There was however an instance where I was asked to do keepy uppies by one of the senior coaches who I didn't know too well for seemingly no reason in the middle of a passing drill. Was I picked out because of my background? I honestly don’t think I can say that for sure, but the last thing I ever wanted to do is draw everyone’s attention, outside of a match. I proceeded to do keepy uppies for about a minute straight, before, much to the delight of my teammates, I asked “Is that enough?”.
The look on his face was priceless.
One of the most fantastic experiences was representing England in the Gothia Youth World Cup. At this point, most of us had spent around 4 years with each other. The team gave me the current perspective of what it means to be British. About half the team were from abroad -Eastern Europe, Southern Europe, North Africa, even North America. But all of us were united by football, all of us were proud to play for our club. Unity in difference. I was still proud of being the only brown lad, but I realised being part of this team defined a new identity of what it meant to be British. It wasn’t about having some sort of ancestral heritage or jingoistic ideas about‘Strong Britain, great Nation’.
It was the bond of brotherhood you built with the people around you. An idea of ‘community’ that’s unique and sacred to the individual.
Outside of football, it’s difficult to proudly proclaim me to be British outside of a humorous scenario. Britain has a dark colonial history, and there’s no hiding from the fact that some of the victims of their wrath were my direct ancestors. The man who is on the £5 note, and is celebrated as ‘The Greatest Briton’ is largely responsible for the deaths of over 3 million people in the Bengal region.
Does calling oneself British, inherently tie you to this history of barbaric oppression and violence? If it does, then as a descendant of those who have suffered under colonial rule it’s not a label that I’d want to be attached to my identity.
To conclude, however, I think ultimately we give meaning to these labels. And what it means to be British I felt was best epitomised the young England team in this years’ Euros. I've lived and been brought up in England my whole life and coupled with the fact that most of the players I watch every weekend play for them, supporting England was a no brainer. But I’d never been prouder to adorn an England shirt, and join in with the chants and celebrations than this year with this team.
A team filled with lads from working-class backgrounds, who’ve grown up in are as similar to those I’ve grown up in. Who have had similar obstacles and difficulties that I’ve had. A team of players who actively and proudly take a stand against discrimination and injustice. I, and I’m sure many countless others, see myself in these players. If they are the best representatives of this nation then I’m all in. This is a community you can be proud to be a part of.
Just looking forward to seeing Hamza Chowdhury finally being called up!