chrisriggott

An Interview with Chris Riggott

Chris, who grew up in a Catholic home with three older brothers told us "I've always been interested in football, as are my Dad and brothers; it's something I grew up with. I'd always kick a ball around the garden and the house when my Mum would let me.”

Asked about his career, Chris said that he didn't realise that professional football may be as career option for him until quite late,

Chris Riggott Makes a flying tackle during a match against Newcastle United

"Every young lad who's interested in football strives to be a professional footballer and I grew up with that, but never thought I would be. I played for Derby boys when I was ten and that's when I got ‘semi-serious.' Playing in Derby boys with lads from all the schools in Derby makes you realise that really you are quite good, but it wasn't until I was about fifteen and got a two-year apprenticeship from Derby that I knew I had a chance. There were five of us in the same year at school who got an apprenticeship to Derby , so it was a good year for football and you have a chance, but realistically the odds are massively stacked against you. So I was expecting to go to University and then perhaps become a P.E. teacher. When I left school to start my apprenticeship with Derby , I'd already completed a year of A levels. I started off with Sports Science, English Language and Psychology although I switched from psychology to sociology after just a few weeks. So professional football was just a dream, one of those things that you don't think will happen but you hope it does – and you just enjoy playing football!"

Chris attended Catholic schools in Derby , Saint Mary's Primary and Saint Benedict's Secondary both of which nurtured and encouraged his talent and enthusiasm for sport as well as building on the faith already practised in his family life. Reflecting on his time at Saint Mary's, originally a convent school run by the Sisters of Mercy, Chris said "It was a really good school and it was nice to go there, as my brothers did before me. It was next to a huge church in central Derby and I have good memories of being there. The teachers were good, Miss McCall who was my teacher for two years inspired me and another teacher who was definitely an inspiration was Sister Ambrose. In my last year of last year of infants, so I think I was about six, Sister Ambrose said I had ‘footballer's legs', I'll never forget that!"

Saint Benedict's, the secondary school Chris attended has an excellent sporting tradition. Like his primary school, Saint Benedict's helped develop his faith and values as well as his blossoming talent on the pitch.

"I have good memories of St Benedict's. When you're at school you don't realise just how good it is but looking back, in terms of being schooled, it couldn't have been any better for me. It's a great school for sports, all the sports teachers particularly Bill Hughes who was Head of sports were encouraging. I enjoyed making friends; I still know a lot of good lads from my schooldays there. Everything about the school was good. I enjoyed the religious aspect. At the time you think everyone has that, but nowadays, meeting many people from all backgrounds you realise that not everyone has that from their school. I think it's important morally. For example, when talking about behaviour it would often be discussed relating to Jesus. There was always the Christian background and I think that put me in good moral stead. I often got involved with School Masses, for example reading and I went to ‘The Briars' (a Catholic residential youth centre) several times. I loved going to ‘The Briars'. At that age it's nice to have a break from the normal. I enjoyed the level of involvement. The masses were a bit more uplifting and I enjoyed the discussions and ‘trust building' exercises we did in groups."

As Catholics, called to holiness by our baptism, our faith should play an important part in all aspects of our lives, including our careers and how we conduct our day to day affairs. Chris was asked about how this translates to his career in football.

"I know one hundred percent that my faith has helped me in my career. I'm very thankful that I have the gifts to play football, but it's not just physical. A lot of it is mental and I feel like I have strength from God to be able to play and that's important. I think I'm very grounded and don't get carried away with it all. It's just a game of football and obviously it is a brilliant game and I am fortunate to be in the position I am in. When I pray before a match I do try not to be selfish! I do ask for God's help at times when I feel I'm in need of something. More importantly I try to remember to say thank you afterwards. It's easy enough to ask for help and then forget about it when you've won!"

For many young people who are trying to balance a hectic lifestyle and the demands of a career, practising their faith is becoming increasingly difficult. The pressures that go with being a professional footballer are the same. Chris was asked if he manages to find time to reflect on his faith in his busy life.

"I definitely take time to think about my own beliefs, I'd say more so in the last year or so. It's easy to lose direction. You get brought up a Catholic and go to a Catholic school and go to Mass but sometimes it's just going along with a routine. I've been thinking about things in the past few months and have been part of a Christian discussion group. There's a forty minute video each week followed by discussion. Last week for example was on ‘Why do we pray'. Praying may see strange to people who don't have faith or Christianity as their background and it's good to talk about these things and get thinking. Often, when I'm asked a question about my faith I refer to my mum or dad and I think that's a good indication of the way in which I was brought up, but I'm starting to have my own way of thinking and have started to explore my own beliefs. There's a Catholic church near here and I go when I can, especially if family are visiting".

Chris spoke about some of the priests who are family friends and what he thinks of their vocation

" I've played golf with more priests than I can remember names. I've played golf with Bishop Malcolm McMahon who is quite good! The priests I know are just normal blokes who have chosen that way of life. I think it's a brave choice and a massive commitment. To sacrifice so many things must be hard, but it is a fantastic choice."

The Vocations Sunday posters aimed at Catholic young men feature a practising Catholic in his mid twenties wearing a football shirt and facing a mirror image of himself in a clerical shirt. If a teenager were to express an interest in football as a career, like Chris they would receive encouragement from a young age, whilst keeping other career options open. Similarly if a teenager were to express an interested in the priesthood it is important not to dismiss them as being ‘too young' and to realise that providing support and encouragement does not in anyway restrict their vocational discernment. What would Chris have to say to a young lad who was thinking about the priesthood?

"I'd probably say that they themselves would know better than me if it was the right thing. And if that's the path for them they will know. If they believe they are making the right choice, I'd give my full backing."

Talking about what faith brings to football and the image he'd like to portray as an example to young people, Chris said:

"With football everyone's in a bubble and it can be a fickle way of life. Of course I'm not saying footballers are bad people, but you can get some ‘un-Christian' things going on. I'd like to be an example of someone who can make it as a footballer and not act in certain ways. I'd like to think I'm setting an example both on and off the pitch.

It is natural for young people to look up to footballers. A lot of the Derby players like Dean Saunders and Mark Wright were my heroes when I was growing up and at the time you think of them being something higher than they are. They are just normal blokes playing football! When you're a footballer yourself you wonder ‘why are they all interested in me?' It is nice in a way but you do realise that you have a responsibility on your shoulders to set an example. I'd like to keep a sense of humility, just to show young people that as a footballer you're on the same level as them, just on a bigger stage."

Chris was asked what the Church might learn from the world of football. He spoke particularly about the values he has learned from managers. "My first manager was Jim Smith at Derby who is hugely respected in football. One of the things I learned from him was to respect people and to respect the opposition. Different people respond to different things, a kick up the backside motivates me! Well, now I'm a pretty good self motivator. I know what the rewards are and the feeling of success.

It's important that people go to Church today but we're seeing the numbers dropping. However when the last pope died it was an example of how strong the Church is still. There was a feeling of unity among people of all denominations. I was raised a Catholic, my parents taught me to pray and I've very much kept to that routine. All of my brothers are married and two have children and are trying to give them the upbringing we had. My fiancée and I are getting married next June at Saint Mary's. With both of us being Catholics hopefully we'd want to do the same."

Finally, Chris was asked what the highlights of his season had been and what chance England had in the World Cup. "The highlight was beating Chelsea 3-0 at home. They were favourites and we turned the form book on its head as they say. It was really rewarding to keep a clean sheet against them. I think England have a good chance. Brazil will be the team to beat, we have as good a chance as any of the European teams."