“At first it’s quite intimidating because a lot of people watch you and a lot of people want to see what you do and emulate what you do,” he said.
«But you get to a point where you accept it and use it as motivation, I think. When I grew up I had idols like Stevie G [Steven Gerrard] and Carra [Jamie Carragher]who, not because of their direct message to me, but because of their professional careers, for being from the city and for having gone through the academic system, made it possible
.
“In my mind, it was like, ‘If they can do it, why can’t I?’ ‘They’ve probably played on the same courses as me. They did the same things at the Academy and followed the same system and they were able to achieve it. So, if I have enough discipline, effort and talent, why can’t I do it?
«I think that’s something that sticks with me most of the time. Sometimes it’s the reason I strive to show people that if you’re willing to work hard enough, anything is possible.
«That’s something I keep in mind: if you think about it, you can do it, but it will take a lot of work. But if you’re willing to put in the work, you can do and achieve any dream you want.”
On why he considers community work so important, he added: “The next generation is the future. I want them to have a bright future and give them opportunities. “I think it’s vitally important and makes it easier to achieve what they want to achieve.”
- Visit CharityStars.com/SCFM to bid on Sunday’s game-worn jerseys, in support of “Futuremakers by Standard Chartered»
