Ex-Premier League footballer tells Showbiz he wants fans to get behind the Three Lions

Exclusive by Sarah Tetteh

As an ex-Premiership footballer representing the nation for England Under 21s, Nigel Reo-Coker, has seen it all. 

Now the pundit has urged the whole of England to get behind the Three Lions in their rescue bid to smash it at the Euros – but understands fans’ frustrations as “it’s the most talented squad we’ve ever had.”

Watching the faces of the England squad as they came off the pitch after a somewhat lackluster final group game against Slovenia last week,  there’s one person who knows just how they feel. 

South London footballer Nigel, who was an England Under 21s player, can relate –  especially after witnessing the frustration of England fans and relentless sports media critics on their performance in the run up to the last 16 game against Slovakia on Sunday.

Former West Ham Captain Nigel reckons the lads have what it takes to go all the way. 

Nigel, who is from Thornton Heath, went to Riddlesdown secondary, the same school as catwalk queen Kate Moss.

It certainly rubbed off on him, as the stylish star loves nothing more than a smart Tom Ford look as he lights up the screens as a top commentator.

“I have a joke,” he says. “I  always say I’m the second most famous person from Riddlesdown. 

“Number 1, is Kate Moss, number 2, is me, and number 3, is my good friend Kieran Gibbs who played for Arsenal.” 

The star, who is now a celebrated sports pundit for CBS, is also a businessman, who lives in Tampa, Florida, with his gorgeous wife and four children. 

Speaking about England at the Euros, he told South London Press Showbiz: “With England, it has always been tough. Whether it’s domestically, or internationally, the media has always been very tough. 

“For the English players there are high expectations. Right now it would be great if the media supports the team, but it’s the whole part of being a footballer. 

“If you don’t perform, then to a certain degree, fans have a right to be upset and feel a certain way. I think the thing for me is knowing that this is the most talented team we have ever had –  this squad of players is super-talented, and when they are not performing to the level we expect them to, it’s going to be frustrating. 

“At the end of the day, football without fans is nothing. They spend their money, in this current climate, they spend their money to go and support England in Germany.

“When you know they are talented in the individual clubs they play for, but when they come together to play internationally and they are not performing, there’s frustration.  

“You have to own it so you can become the person you are in the future. So it would be nice for fans to get behind them, but I understand the frustrations and I think for the England players they have to own it because we can’t look and say we performed to the level we really should with the quality of players that we have got.”

Can they win, though? Nigel is hopeful. He said: “You can never rule it out. They got through the group stages and now it’s the serious business. 

“This is knock-outs so hopefully the light switch will come on now, and they will start to perform as we expected them to perform.” 

Nigel spoke out about how important it is to combat and stamp out racism in the sport. 

It came with the heartbreaking confession that several of the former Premiership stars are hoping if it comes to penalties, they ‘hope a black player doesn’t miss it’ after the vile racist abuse Rashford, Sancho and Saka suffered at the last Euros. 

Nigel said: “I’ve been through it loads of times. In my England Under 21 days, myself and Carlton Cole, we went away for England 21s. 

“We played in Poland and  we were constantly racially abused every time we touched the ball, there were monkey sounds and stuff like that. 

“So for the community of black, British players, we know what it’s like and how society can work. 

“Just because we are professional football players, it doesn’t mean we are exempt from this. We know what it’s like – we do communicate and talk. 

“And it’s sad, because when it comes to a time when penalties do occur, which they do in these competitions, it’s sad but we say we hope it’s not a black player that misses it. 

“It’s because we know what a black player is going to go through. My advice to them is you’ve got to have a thick skin. 

“Growing up in South London, the water’s different, we’re built differently, so you have to embrace what you are, who you are. 

“Know what you have worked hard to become. Embrace it. Be secure of who you are. There’s no limit to what you can be.” 

For now, Nigel is on the up, and the future is bright for this star who is determined to help others just like him coming up in the game. 

He revealed: “I’m in the process of doing my UEFA badges and coaching course. I’m in the process of doing my A license, I’ll be doing it in Northern Ireland.

“It’s a fantastic course and I’m enjoying it. I’m going to get my qualifications and see if any opportunities come  –  because what’s the point of having all this knowledge and wisdom in football and not being able to pass that down?

Nigel sent a message out to the kids of South London to reach their goals: “Dreams can come true. Work hard, everything always starts as a dream, and you make it reality,” he said.

Pictured top: Nigel Reo-Coker is urging England fans to get behind the Three Lions at the Euros (Picture: Nigel Reo-Coker)