| God in the Changing Room |
|
Imagine! You love foot  ball, you love your local club and you love God. So what could be better than becoming the club chaplain? Derek Cleave lives in Bristol and, football-wise, Bristol is divided into Red and Blue – Bristol City and Bristol Rovers. Derek grew up in Bedminster, just up the road from Ashton Gate, the City ground. He’s a City fan. He didn’t plan to be a chaplain but he’s been there for 27 years now, longer than any other personnel. He’s witnessed several relegations, three promotions and watched 13 managers come and go. It started in 1982, when he attended a conference where one of the speakers talked about the role of chaplains in Football League Clubs. Derek’s friend nudged him. “You should do that,” he said. Later that day, Derek attended a school function. He sat next to another parent who turned out to be a director of Bristol City. “You’ll never guess what I heard today,” Derek said to make conversation. “League clubs should all have chaplains.” The director looked at him. “That’s a great idea. We’ve got a board meeting next week. I’ll mention it.” A few days later Derek answered the phone. “You’re on,” said the voice at the other end.” “I’m sorry…?” “You’re on,” said the voice again. “You’re the Bristol City chaplain. Come and meet the players.” Derek had never seriously thought of himself as a club chaplain. He didn’t know what to do or what would be expected of him and he found himself in at the deep end. The manager in those days was Terry Cooper. He’d played for Leeds in their heyday under Don Revie. They’d won the FA Cup, Fairs Cup and League championship. He’d played for England. Terry Cooper welcomed him into his office at Ashton Gate and told him about John Jackson who’d been the Leeds United chaplain. “He was such an encouragement to us,” he said, “I’m all for it.” The first match was away at Hereford and it was so long since City had won away from home they almost didn’t expect to. Derek travelled up on the team coach and the manager introduced him in the pre-match dressing room. “This is Derek. He’s a vicar!” Then he explained his own gratitude for the man at Leeds and invited Derek to speak. “Think of me as the safety net a trapeze artist needs if required,’ said Derek. “I’m here for you.” And today he still describes his role in this way. Many footballers are both suspicious and superstitious. They’re suspicious because of the hangers-on who want a bit of kudos for themselves. And some of the team must have wondered what Derek was in it for. Their superstitions are varied. Some may want to be the last onto the pitch; others never wear a certain colour on match day, and so on. But on that day they won 3-1 and the journey home was a great celebration. They adopted Derek straight away. “After all,” they said; “having a chaplain works!” If you ask Derek what God has to do with football he’ll tell you it’s all about people. God loves people. So he’s chaplain to the whole club; players, management, support staff; everyone. Apart from Saturdays he goes twice a week. At 9.30 am the players begin to arrive and he mingles. At 10 o’clock maintenance staff meet together and he pops his head round the door before they disperse to various tasks. Then he makes his round of the whole club. Offers of support If there’s illness or bereavement he offers support. When players are injured he visits to help and encourage. He’s at the end of a phone or a text message and available. There have been times when a player is depressed through injury; when team mates have tried ringing without success. But a simple text has brought an immediate response. He’s there for those who need a safety net. On the other hand, the chaplain of Manchester United advised him, “You have to be more than just a nice chap.” And Derek agrees. He always takes his faith to work with him, praying en route and looking for opportunities to offer positive input to the people he meets. Players also have spiritual longings and, when they ask, he loves to tell them how much God cares for them.  Sometimes he’s asked how he feels about the industrial language that’s an everyday part of footballing life. “I don’t find it nearly as offensive as blasphemy,” he says and explains his devotion to Jesus Christ and why it hurts to hear his name abused. Is being a footballer something to aspire to? “It depends why you want to do it,” says Derek, “for football or for celebrity. “You have to be prepared to take the knocks. Only the tiniest percentage make it and even being signed up doesn’t automatically lead to a professional career. But then,” he said, “some are discovered later in life and have wonderful careers.” After all these years he’s seen it all; the tears and the celebrations. And whatever next season holds he hopes to be there – and still be a safety net for those who need it. By Dave Winfield |
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|