Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Sporting ExcitementSporting Excitement

Premier League

How Steven Caulker quit England for Sierra Leone call-up at Afcon and helped build school for underprivileged kids

, How Steven Caulker quit England for Sierra Leone call-up at Afcon and helped build school for underprivileged kids

FORMER England defender Steven Caulker switched allegiance to Sierra Leone and will line-up for them at the Africa Cup of Nations.

And the 30-year-old has revealed he will be playing for the children he built a school for if he features in Tuesday’s opener against Algeria.

Steven Caulker has switched allegiance from England to Sierra Leone
The former Tottenham and Cardiff man made his England debut aged 20 under Roy Hodgson

When playing for Cardiff City between 2013 and 2014, Caulker raised £25,000 selling signed shirts – including from Gareth Bale.

And after topping the fund up with his own cash, he built a six-classroom school – alongside charity Action Aid – with its own well in the Kambia district.

Caulker recalled a trip he made in an interview with the Mail and admitted memories of the kids he helped get him choked up.

He said: “I’m not someone who cries but that always gets to me.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

“She sang a song for me and whenever I watch that video it gives me the same feeling, it’s overwhelming.

“Just as it was when I was there, taking selfies with children who’d never seen their own reflections because there are no mirrors or cameras, it’s such a remote village. You could see pure joy and excitement in their faces.

JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET A FREE £10 BONUS WITH 100s OF GAMES TO PLAY AND NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED (Ts&Cs apply)

“I had a very small taste of that with England, but when I walk out to represent Sierra Leone I will be thinking of all that.

“They always greet me with such love, it’s always so emotional. These are the people I’ll be thinking of and these are the people I’m playing for when I line up.

“And all the people waiting outside the hotel before we left for Cameroon, running after our bus as we went off to play in the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time in 25 years. It’s so much greater than football.”

It was confirmed last month Caulker had switched allegiance through his paternal grandfather William who hails from Manor-by-the-Sea in the West African nation.

William moved to London in the 1950s and married Caulker’s Scottish gran Jessie.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

Caulker featured for Team GB’s Olympic side at London 2012 and also made his England debut aged 20 under Roy Hodgson against Sweden away in the November that year.

He scored and then saw Danny Welbeck make it 2-1 to the Three Lions before he was taken off to watch Zlatan Ibrahimovic score his second, third and fourth goals – including his famous phenomenal overhead kick.

‘THE ZLATAN SHOW’

Sweden won 4-2 and Caulker admits his own contribution was overshadowed by ‘the Zlatan show’.

But the former Tottenham and QPR star is now looking forward to making more memories with Sierra Leone.

He added: “It was a special moment for me to wear the England shirt and make my debut at the same time as Raheem Sterling, to play with Steven Gerrard, but it’s a long time ago and I’ve drifted away from England.

“I was upset to miss out on World Cup selection in 2014.

“They sent a text to say Roy Hodgson would call everyone whether we were in or not. He never called.

“I sat by the phone all evening. That was quite disheartening and to be honest quite rude.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

“I’d been around the squad for the best part of two years and it left a bit of a sour taste.”

That was Caulker’s final England involvement.

After a battle with alcohol and gambling issues Caulker moved to Turkish side Alanyaspor in 2019.

And his superb form earned himself a big move to Fenerbahce in the summer but a change in manager the day before the new season saw him left ‘unwanted’.

, How Steven Caulker quit England for Sierra Leone call-up at Afcon and helped build school for underprivileged kids Read our Transfer News Live blog for the very latest rumours, gossip and done deals

He then moved to Gaziantep on loan for the season but wants a Premier League return at the end of the campaign.

Caulker said: “Coming away served a purpose and gave me a footing on the road to sobriety.

“But I’m more than three years sober now and to be back home close to my son, my family and friends, my support network would be brilliant.”

FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN NEW CUSTOMER DEALS

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

Advertisement
Advertisement

Latest

Premier League

Ozil's Gym Transformation Former Arsenal player Mesut Ozil, who retired at 34, has been hitting the gym hard, showcasing a significant body transformation and...

Premier League

Gareth Southgate Explains Palmer's Absence Gareth Southgate has shed light on why Cole Palmer didn't make an appearance in England's recent friendlies against Brazil...

Premier League

Former Football Stars Turned Coaches Cesc Fabregas has been predicted to join the ranks of successful managers like Mikel Arteta, Thierry Henry, and Patrick...

Premier League

Guardiola's Headache Manchester City is facing a massive injury crisis with seven key players at risk of missing the crucial showdown against Arsenal. Defensive...

Premier League

ARSENAL and West Ham are on the brink of securing an extra Champions League spot for English clubs in 2024-25 by potentially eliminating German...

Premier League

Sir Jim Ratcliffe making changes at Old Trafford Manchester United is gearing up for a major shake-up as Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the British billionaire...

Advertisement
Advertisement

Facebook

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement