UGOCHUKWU UKAH WHO IS?
(Ukah on a presentation at Queens Park Rangers - on the left) "The league went to the park" ("Sports Review", 9/24/2010)
[ This is my favorite text] Ugochukwu Ukah When he returned from the park, he felt that there was no where to go. Pomieszkiwał in hired for a few pounds a modest room in the district on the outskirts of Enfield in north London.
In other rooms they lived strangers. Nigerian did not know any of the tenants. In every free moment to pray at a nearby church. Pastor's uncle was in it Done in Owerri, the only one soulmate Ukaha in the 10-million city.
Ugochukwu previously lived in Ealing. However, he was ejected from the apartment by Queens Park Rangers. He got only the club's lapidary statement: "Please move out of the apartment. Accommodation is another player QPR. "Amounted, therefore, no longer appear at the club and began training in the park.
Survival school - Day by day I found myself on the street. I did not know what to do. The President told me that my contract has been resolved. I told him that it is probably impossible, at the end of the contract is a contract. Just shrugged his shoulders. I just wanted to get rid of me, I was not treated well - he recalls. Ugochukwu was close to collapse, but fortunately he met Jamie Lawrence. Former Jamaican player Leicester City and Bradford have already helped several groups of unemployed players. Some of them were Wimbledon fallen fighters, others were playing in the lower leagues.
- These players have a problem with confidence. They need to listen and talk to them more. I had to be more their friend than a coach. Ugo willingly accepted to the group and showed him the place where we trained - says Lawrence.Nigeryjczykowi also lent his autobiography, describing his life. In his youth he took part in a bank robbery, was sentenced to several years in prison, but his football talent noticed when he played in. .. Prison team. A few years later went to the Premiership! That is why he wanted to help those who found themselves on the cusp. Ukah two days read "From Prison to the Premiership."
In other rooms they lived strangers. Nigerian did not know any of the tenants. In every free moment to pray at a nearby church. Pastor's uncle was in it Done in Owerri, the only soul mate Ukaha in the 10-million city.
Ugochukwu previously lived in Ealing. However, he was thrown out of the apartment by Queens Park Rangers. He got only the club's lapidary statement: "Please move out of the apartment. Lokum takes another QPR player." Amounted therefore, no longer appear in the club and began training in the park.
Survival school - Day by day I found myself on the street. I did not know what to do. The President told me that my contract has been resolved. I told him that it is probably impossible, at the end of the contract is a contract. Just shrugged his shoulders. I just wanted to get rid of me, I was not treated well - he recalls. Ugochukwu was close to collapse, but fortunately he met Jamie Lawrence
- With this book I wanted to show him that as you want, you can return to football - says Lawrence.
Ukah encouraged by the Jamaican began daily training under his guidance. Thames traveled by subway and got out just in Clapham - a trip to south London took nearly half an hour. There, in enjoying the neighborhood a bad reputation on the edge of the park with a group of men dressed in colorful ortaliony ran the ball. Harsh lesson of life lasted for five months .- Ugo stood out. He was very strong physically. It was evident that a professional, he played in the Championship - Lawrence recalls.
They did not know about the holidaymakers in the park, people, and usually they appeared there very much .- The coach sets up cones, throwing the ball. There was a lot of space. 50, 100 meters from the park was ours. I remember the first day. I came back very dirty with, all wet. Beside me sat in the subway, officials and bankers, dressed in suits, tie. Disembarked in the "City", in the prestigious financiers. I had mud on his knees and drove to the suburbs. I laughed in the spirit of this contrast. Since that time, I know what it means to suddenly find themselves in a difficult position. I learned that a man must be strong under any circumstances.
Until there came a miracle - May God help me? - Asks the player today, wearing a red tracksuit Widzew.
- Every day and night I prayed that my situation changed. Tried to maintain the spirit, not just to stop fighting. I knew that if ugrzęznę in the park, my career is over. Until there came a miracle - he confesses. The situation
Nigerian, who was born and raised in the Italian Parma, became interested in English football association. Helped him legal matters in the end Ukah won the case in court and straight out of the park was restored to the team championship. Through training with Lawrence, not physically standing out from his teammates. Management, however, forbade QPR coach John Gregory expose it in matches. Despite this Ukah enjoyed. Because I won.
- Widzew young players to say that football is a life of 15 years. During this time, will experience a situation which will not be affected. But regardless of how much is wrong, they must try to get up. I did, I what I like, and I approach every game as if it was the last in life. Today, the more I respect what I have in Lodz - tells 26-year-old defender.
Football Widzew did not know what happened to the others, who in the summer of 2006 with the passed ball kicking survival camp in a park in Clapham. Lawrence points to the Robin Shroota, Birmingham City player today. There will be successive. Jamaican all the time helping the unemployed in London. He also started the work manager. For now, the Ashford Town FC, the team playing in the Southern Football League (eighth league).
Every Sunday in London, shortly after the service, Pastor Ugochukwu visited his uncle. Done came to London in the early 90s Much earlier (in 1977) from the family he left Owerri in Nigeria, his brother - Bertrand. They came from good African family that could afford a bed sons to study in Europe - Bertrand went to Parma, was a doctor of economics, business got under way (in Nigeria sprzdaje Italian marble), enrolled his son to AC Parma soccer school. For the first band in which he played Lilian Thuram and Fabio Cannavaro, managed to get only Alessandro Rosini - the best boy in the nursery.
Nigerian Reggiana Ugochukwu looked so their chance in Reggiani. He joined seven Nigerians. Together they won the prestigious youth games "Dante Berretti.
- Players Castel di Sangro Calcio, a team that played in the finals, laughed, that winning the semifinal, has already conquered his Italian league, and now they are trying to us, Nigeryjczykami in the world league . Ograliśmy them. In the semifinals, overcame Milan and Juventus in the quarterfinals of the composition of Claudio Marchisio and Antonio Nocerino-mentioned Ukah. Adewale Wahab and Benjamin Onwuachiego wyłapały Roma and Juventus (now played only in Bellinzona and Kavala). Ukah got an offer from QPR. When the British finally withdrew all his money, he returned to Italy.
At the last minute - I went to Milan. There, in one of the great hotels, Ata Hotel Executive, a few days before the closure of the transfer window always meet all of the directors of sports clubs, agents and players. The principle is one - they are clip-on transfers at the last minute. In Italy we say: "If you want to finish off the interest from Italy, you must go to Italy at the end of the window, not before." I did the same way. I came to talk. Business is a contact - Widzew footballer says.
Boniek and Calleri Ugochukwu When he entered the hotel, he saw several hundred people crowding. In the eyes immediately threw themselves familiar faces players from Serie A wreath was surrounded their managers. People who are able to do something for him, were few. In the luxury boxes, separated from the rest, flexing their big fish in the Italian game: Luciano Moggi and Andrea Galliani. The rest of the talking in the hallway.
Nigerian ran into a friend, Luka Evangelisti, director of Pro Vasto. Presented him with his situation, and he turned to the President of the 3-league Giulianovy. "He needs a chance after his return from England, is hungry for the game" - a friend advertise Ukaha director, who agreed to play for 1,000 euros a month. - They gave me a favor. Giulianova in the middle of the season attracted just a few points. Nevertheless, took a man who I have not played the ball. I signed a contract for six months. So much was enough for my new birth in football. The money was insignificant, "he says.
determination paid off. While playing in Serie C, he saw a Roman agent Ukaha Riccardo Calleri. He could not get better. In addition it was noted only striker Mirko Antenucci (now shooting in Catania, Serie A) .- Calleri said: "Boniek is interested. Good deal in Poland is waiting. "I said only when it is closest to a flight? Boarded, and the airport worker took me Widzew. And so I am already in Lodz 3 years - he smiles back.
good form also saw the British capital. In the summer he could again found in the suburbs of London, which once had to swear - the future offer from Watford and Bristol. But it was too late. Ukah was extended contract with Widzew.
this time in London would not be lonely. Studies at Royal Holloway University of London, began his sister, the other studying in Manchester. For daughters, moved to London to his mother. Only my father remained in Parma. Bertrand Ukah after nearly 40 years on the Old Continent wants to return to Africa.