Loving the grass Red Sea FC and the road to freedom

Loving the grass: Red Sea FC and the road to freedom

Dr Chris Towers, follows Red Sea FC 

Poet and Writer Dr Chris Towers follows Red Sea FC, a team made up of players who are refugees from up to nine countries that border the Red Sea, as they continue on their mission to play football, make friends, and learn about England, their new home. Here are his thoughts on their latest adventure, an end of season match at the Hykeham memorial ground near Lincoln. 

I had previously seen them play in Attenborough Village, Nottinghamshire last November.This has been their first season of football in this country and they are enjoying the journey. The last time I watched them it was cool and the leaves had just fallen off the trees. Swap overcast days of Autumn with Spring and a team, Red Sea, learning all the time. This felt like spring for them in every sense, the setting and the occasion. 

 The Red Sea FC managed by Edezin, along with a coach. Edezin expressed his sheer joy at managing the team

“Managing the Red Sea club football team has been an amazing experience. It was rewarding to help the players participate in a local league, fulfilling a dream for many who haven't had the opportunity to play football in their native countries”

I was also keen to talk with players and hear their thoughts and I was connected with three players, Musab from Sudan, Solomon from Eritrea and Faniel from Eritrea.

It was a sunny morning at the memorial ground in Hykeham. The Hykeham Sports and Social Club were the hosts, for this game in the Euro- Soccer Senior League, development division. Their opponents, Newark and Sherwood Development Team.

The ground is just off a main road, beyond the train station. It was a bright and brilliant April morning. The air was fresh, as if someone had opened the windows to the sky, and the sun poured down on the lush grass. The cherry trees were in blossom as the team Red Sea FC, warmed up in little groups in the far corners of the park, next to the cricket pitch with its quaint little scoreboard, every bit England. I was there with my camera and keen to talk with some of the team and ask them about their journey to England and around the county playing football. Playing football as part of a Refugee team may not be mainstream but it fascinates, as much for the human side as the football.  As a writer and poet of non-league football I like to shine a light on the ‘left behind’ places and people, the unsung, but meaningful to those who participate.  I find not just poetry but stories to tell and be heard, Red Sea FC is such a story. 

“ the cherry trees were in blossom, the air was fresh and someone had opened the windows to the sky and let the sun in”

Red Sea were about to play their last game of their first ever season, taking on champions elect Newark and Sherwood Development side. But whilst the local side , local to Newark upon Trent, were about to taste silverware, Red Sea were smelling freedom and joy on their journey from countries often under siege, to rural Lincolnshire. Players told me how they value what they now have , “We value education, we love our freedom, this is our home now’” said Musab from Sudan, as I talked with him in the brilliant  sunshine. He stood there in his bright orange kit, talking with pride and sheer joy as his team prepared to play Newark and Sherwood Development team. 


Musab from Sudan

He said the road had been “difficult”, probably an understatement, but he was loving the freedom he now enjoyed. He at times found it hard to verbalise, such was the clear strength of his feeling, which simply came over in his body language.  He talked of the dusty grounds in Sudan, his original country of origin. “I am so lucky,” he said.  He left Sudan in 2019, yes such a long journey in both time and place and here he was in football boots on a football ground in Lincolnshire, did he ever imagine? But here he was and now feels relaxed enough to -play, he has made connections with others. He also enjoyed life in Nottingham.  He also talked proudly of a victory in their last game, a convincing 3-0 win at Cotgrave. He talked of the city of Nottingham and Nottingham Forest, the logo of Forest on their shirts. There was and is identification with both.

When I came here, I knew nothing about Nottingham, they are a big club

Musab from Sudan

Solomon from Ethiopia, another proud member of the team, told me "this is our home now” and that he liked playing on the grass and even enjoyed the cold weather “better for playing the game”. In England for four years,he did play for a team in Loughborough but then switched to Red Sea FC, enjoying his position in the centre of midfield. Like Musaf he liked communicating with others in the team and through this he “learned something, every game we learn” and he meant more than the football, he meant about the life they now lived “We have football jackets and socks” he said, speaking with great pride about the good thing he had found.

 Solomon from Eritrea         

 “We have football jackets and socks”
  

The game was a see-saw of a game with the home side scoring early on and then again before half time.  The Red Sea team were gutsy in the tackle and athletic in their endeavour and for me a much better side to when I last saw them play in Attenborough in November. They seemed somehow more cohesive as a team, like they knew each other more, not just in football terms. ISolomon  sensed they would get back into the game.                                               

Faniel from Eritrea, above, also appreciated playing for Red Sea, and was pleased to be playing in the team.  He stood there in the grasses of the playing field, clearly enjoying the sun and being part of the team. He, like so many of the team play for the sheer joy of the game, just participating seems enough, whilst naturally wanting to win, just like anyone. They are a highly determined side and never gave up.

Meanwhile the game continued at a pace in the constant sun, warm for an April day in England. The team were vibrant and even when two goals down, Red Sea continued to pass and move with flair, and in the second half came back with a strike before Newark scored again. But Red Sea would not lie down and scored with an outrageous shot direct from the centre spot! The ball rose and then looked into the net

“the ball looped into the netting, flying from a leather boot into slack netting, dive bombing ino the goal, swooping in like a fish thrown into a trawlers net”

The final whistle blew and whilst Newark won 3-2 the feeling all around the immaculate green fields was that Red Sea had come a long way in the season and they played with a smile on their faces, loving the game and life. The players work for a living and are building their lives but football is part of this life. It is a way of connecting with others, the team is constantly learning.

 

The two teams battle it out

Whilst Newark and Sherwood development won the game and league title, Red Sea earned much respect from the opposition, running them close but also playing with much flair and joy. 

 

The players link arms

The Newark side seemed to appreciate this and showed this in joining arms with Red Sea players, linking together in the spring sunshine.  It was quite something as the winning side took the trophy but also ran towards the Red Sea team quite instinctively, locking arms. They clearly valued their opponents in every respect, it really showed how football can unite.

Walking away from the Hykeham memorial ground I felt I had witnessed something special in the spring sunshine, something more than football. I saw people as much as footballers, on a journey, revelling in their freedom and a new life, a long way from what they knew before. They were and are loving the grass, and loving their freedom.

Dr Chris Towers latest publication is available in Waterstones in Nottingham,

Follow this link, if you like words, poetry and football, this book will interest you, featuring

Nottinghamshire based teams from Basford and Carlton to Newark Town- and also Romania FC and Cadburys Athletic!

https://www.waterstones.com/book/return-to-the-hinterlands/christopher-towers/9781915021335



For more information, please contact:

Background

Refugee Roots, a Nottingham-based charity dedicated to supporting refugees and migrants, is proud sponsors Red Sea FC, a local football team made up of players from refugee and migrant backgrounds. This partnership marks a significant step in fostering community integration and promoting the physical and mental well-being of those who have recently settled in Nottingham.

About Refugee Roots

Refugee Roots is a Nottingham-based charity committed to providing support, community, and opportunities for refugees and migrants. Through various programs and initiatives, Refugee Roots helps individuals and families integrate into their new communities, offering practical assistance, advice, and friendship.

About Red Sea FC

Founded in 2019, Red Sea FC is a Nottingham-based football club made up of players from refugee and migrant backgrounds. The club provides a supportive environment where members can develop their football skills, gain confidence, and make meaningful connections with the local community.

Dr Chris Towers

Dr Chris Towers latest publication is available in Waterstones in Nottingham,

Follow this link, if you like words, poetry and football, this book will interest you, featuring Nottinghamshire based teams from Basford and Carlton to Newark Town- and also Romania FC and Cadburys Athletic! https://www.waterstones.com/book/return-to-the-hinterlands/christopher-towers/9781915021335

 






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