John Odey, hailing from Cross River state, boasts an impressive football career, primarily associated with the renowned New Generation Club.
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Over a span of five years, he demonstrated his versatility as a defensive player, excelling in central defence, defensive midfield, and occasionally as a right back. His football journey commenced at the tender age of 7, engaging in inter-street and formal competitions, instilling a lifelong passion for the sport.
Beyond the field, John acknowledges football’s unique power to unite people from diverse backgrounds, irrespective of social class or religious affiliations, fostering genuine love and a sense of belonging. For him, football served as an avenue to find purpose and joy in life.
Speaking with Sports247, John says “Football brings people together, regardless of class, background or religious affiliation. The beautiful game enhances genuine love and sense of belonging. Football was supposed to be an escape from the trenches for a better life. Football made me find meaning in life and I enjoyed playing it”.
In addition to his football pursuits, John has developed a newfound interest in swimming and video gaming. Passionate about nurturing talent at the grassroots level, he emphasizes the urgent need for a well-structured approach to developing young footballers.
John fondly recalls the impact of the J League during the Fashola regime, which unearthed and nurtured talents like Ndidi, underscoring the significance of proper competitions and professional training clinics for aspiring players.
John faced setbacks in his football journey, including ankle and knee injuries, but he persevered after recovery. However, his enthusiasm for professional football waned following an unfortunate incident during the Aspire Africa trials, organized in conjunction with the government of Qatar, where older players were brought in midway through the U13 league trials after the younger ones had been toiling from the start. This experience led him to shift his focus towards education, prompting him to step away from active football.
Nevertheless, he continued to play for his department during his time at FUTA and, during his NYSC days in 2017, contributed to his platoon’s victory in the prestigious NYSC Cup.
Today, John Odey remains an inspiring figure, advocating for the betterment of grassroots football through enhanced structure, advanced competitions, and comprehensive training programs. His invaluable advice to young grassroots footballers center’s on mastering the fundamentals and honing their skills to pave the way for a promising future in the sport.
“My advice for grassroots football players is that they should master the basics and perfect them”.
