In his broken English, Nuno Espírito Santo, coach of Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club (yes, that kind of football), speaks from his heart to Johnny Philips about caring for his adopted home.
In this interview with Sky News, the Portuguese coach talks about the needs of his city during the pandemic and the responsibility he feels to respond to these needs, as a coach, as an individual, and as a local family.
You have never heard of the Wanderers? The Wanderers are not my club (that would be these guys). The Wanderers (or Wolves) represent the city of Wolverhampton, a very densely populated suburb of Birmingham, UK. Since the pandemic, 29% of the population of children of Wolverhampton are living in poverty, the result of many employed parents who have not been permitted to work. This is well above the national average of the UK.
Nuno is speaking about the Feed the Pack program. This charity is hosted by the Wolves Foundation, but operates alongside other charities seeking to fill the pantries of under-employed families. Even though he is Portuguese, moving to Wolverhampton in 2017, he and his family are grateful to call Wolverhampton, home. He believes this is his moment, “here and now,” to give back to his home. To Nuno, this is not about football. He believes that “selfishness is our worst mistake,” and “he cannot allow this.” To Nuno, this is about meeting the needs of others.
His demeanor reminds me that, historically, many English football clubs began as Christian gatherings. Sound odd? In the late nineteenth century the Wolverhampton Wanderers used to be called St. Luke’s Football Club because the initial players attended St. Luke’s Church School. Today, this church remains as an Evangelical church in the Church of England.
I have been reading Dan Goldstein’s, The Rough Guide to English Football, and have been surprised by the connection between English football and the church. Surveying London teams, Arsenal began as recreation for workers at the Arsenal Armaments factory in Woolwich. Crystal Palace players were employees of, well, Crystal Palace. West Ham United players were mostly Scottish shipbuilders on the Thames. Leyton Orient were port workers in East London. Millwall players made jam and marmalade.
But if not founded by the working-class, most English clubs were connected to churches. Tottenham was run by a Bible class teacher from All Hallows’ Church. Fulham FC used to be called, St. Andrew’s Church Sunday School FC. Watford was connected to St. Mary’s, Watford. Queen’s Park Rangers began out of a mission church, St. Jude’s Institute, working alongside another mission church, Christ Church. Everton (Liverpool) were Methodists. Aston Villa (Birmingham) were Wesleyans. Manchester City FC came from St. Mark’s Church. Southampton are called “Saints” for a reason (founded by the curate of St. Mary’s Southampton, Rev. A. B. Sole).
It is really quite staggering to consider that so many football clubs began as athletic extensions of the local church. So, when Nuno, the coach of the Wolverhampton Wanders, says “let’s think about the other ones, not us,” I can’t help but think of Paul’s words in Galatians 5.14: “for the whole law is fulfilled in one word: you shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Take a listen to Nuno’s interview.
