Fulham star Calvin Bassey refurbishes childhood youth club to inspire next generation
Calvin Bassey could be forgiven for dining out on his status as Fulham 's Player of last Season. Instead the coveted centre-back has gone back to the future to pay it forward.
Bassey, 25, has funded the renovation and reopening of the Forest Gate Youth Centre - where he spent his teenage years - in east London.
It was an environment that would shape and encourage his determination to become a footballer, let alone win silverware with Rangers and move to the elite division of English club football.
Since impressing at the 2022 Europa League Final with that club, Bassey has been snapped by Dutch giants Ajax and sign for Fulham for a £20million fee two years ago.
He has never forgotten, however, how and where it all began - in Forest Gate. The Calvin Bassey Collective launched last week, hosting 90 young people and giving back to the community.
It is an initiative rooted in community, inclusivity, and empowerment, pledging long-term support for young people across London by investing in safe spaces and creating opportunities both on and off the pitch.
'For me, it's special,' Bassey told Mirrorfootball, "because it's a place me and my friends used to come, gather and just have fun, Just be kids.
'The centre was able to provide us with certain things my family didn't have. A table tennis table, for example.
'I didn't have that at home, so being able to come here and play table tennis sounds so simple, but when you're here, it's lit.
'So I've got good memories with my boys here.'
It hasn't all been plain sailing for Bassey. As with a number of areas across the country, crime has blighted and claimed the lives of loved ones he grew up with over the years.
But the heartbreak has acted as an inspiration rather than an obstacle.
'I'm just a normal guy and I want to show kids that if I can do it, they can do it. That's what I want them to leave with them.
'That's my motivation to improve this safe space with a gym, new astro turf and goals for them to play football.
'I want try to help this place stay fun and interactive for the kids. It's important to me.
'Growing up I've had friends, I've lost friends and it's important for me to not have other kids repeat that cycle.
'Unfortunately we've had kids in the area getting involved in gang knife crimes. So for me it's my way of trying to tackle it and give kids the inspiration that if one angle doesn't work out, there are other ways that you can achieve your dream.
'There are other opportunities out there and for me it's making sure they're focused on what's more important.'
Religion was all important to Bassey as a child and still is. Both his parents made sacrifices - despite their humble beginnings - to ensure his career could begin at Leicester. He is now proud to praised God for his success.
'God is my guide. He protects me. My middle name is Chinedu which means 'God leads'.
'So God guides me and he protects me. And I'm so happy that people are coming out and being so open about it, showing the amazing things God's been able to do in our lives, you know, because I truly believe that without God, none of this would be here.'
Crystal Palace 's shock FA Cup win has acted to inspire clubs outside the Premier League 's top six teams that they too can beat the elite clubs to silverware in the most competitive league in the world.
Fulham kick of the new season away to Brighton next month and Bassey is confident his side will be among the clubs similarly hungry to defy the odds.
'Last season, the so-called mid-table clubs like Bournemouth did so well and it just goes to show the quality in the Premier League throughout - from position one to position 20.
'We were able to beat Liverpool in April and they went on to be champions. It shows what happens with togetherness and when players really buy into what the manager wants- you can achieve anything.'
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