I was jailed for robbery aged 15 before becoming a drug dealer and rapper – but now I'm an academy scout for Arsenal
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
JOSEPH BOL has gone from dealing drugs, getting stabbed by rival gangs and spending three separate stints in prison, to helping Arsenal uncover new talent as an academy scout.
Bol, 39, has turned his life around, putting crime in his rear-view mirror and excelling as a football scout.
Sign up for Scottish Sun
newsletter
Sign up
7
Joseph Bol has turned his life around after three spells in prison
Credit: instagram @joeblackuk
7
Bol is now an academy scout at Arsenal
Credit: instagram @joeblackuk
Bol works as Arsenal's grassroots academy coordinator for East London, helping the Gunners identify the best talent across U9s to U14s level.
It's far cry from what he was doing at a similar age to the youngsters, with Bol being sent to prison for three years at just 15 years old for robbery.
He also found himself wrapped up in dealing Class A drugs and ultimately being convicted for that too.
Speaking to The Times, he recalled: "I wanted things my mum didn't deem necessary, like designer clothes, trainers, and that led me down a slippery slope.
"I stopped playing football and I started selling and smoking weed, and then it went on to be more Class A drugs. I was just in a bubble thinking this is going to be my career path."
After being let out of prison for the first time, Bol turned his attention to rap music - amassing millions of YouTube views for his songs about crime.
He added: "I came out and got adulation from my peers, it boosts your ego, and I just started rapping about what I was going through.
"It was more about selling drugs. We didn't really have postcode wars at the time.'
7
Bol releases rap music under the name 'Joe Black'
Credit: instagram @joeblackuk
Join SUN CLUB for the Arsenal Files every Friday plus
in-depth coverage and exclusives from The Emirates
Bol, who recalled taking Maths and English GCSEs in a young offenders' institute, was still wrapped up in the world of crime for some time.
And was even stabbed in the arm and leg while sitting in the front seat of his car by four members of rival gang at one point.
But after turning 21 and finisng himself in an adult prison, Bol's life changed thanks an officer who encouraged him to complete FA Level One and Community Sports Leader coaching courses.
He recalled that decision helped him "break the cycle" and he started to volunteer at a local football club when he was released from prison.
In 2012 he set up his own grassroots team, AC United, which snowballed into an eight-team club with performances catching the attention of top scouts.
Bol continued rapping about his old life at the same time, earning a reputation under his stage name "Joe Black", and even performed as a support act for hip-hop superstar Rick Ross.
7
Bol turned to football coaching after his release from prison
Credit: instagram @joeblackuk
Unexpectedly, it was his rap career that helped Bol land his first proper job in football.
A standout player at AC United, Clinton Mola, was invited for a trial at Chelsea - with Bol accompanying him to the training ground.
Upon his arrival at Cobham, Bol was mobbed by a group of U14 players - including a young Reece James - who recognised him from his music videos.
Recognising the sway and impact that Bol had in the local community, Chelsea decided to hire him as a member of their coaching staff.
They also signed Mola, who now plays for Bristol Rovers in League One and represented England from U16 to U21 levels.
Bol recalled being concerned that Chelsea would turn him away after a DBS check of his criminal history.
He said to The Times: "Rightfully so, because there were obviously reservations after what showed up [on the DBS check].
'I did a risk assessment and they asked me how I ended up in these situations and what I'd done to change my behaviour to ensure I wouldn't fall back into those old patterns.
"Long story short, I think the years I put in coaching unpaid went a long way to overpower the past.
7
Clinton Mola now plays for Bristol Rovers
Credit: Rex
"They could see I was making a big effort to make a change. I got the role and I was there for just over five years.'
From there Bol's career in football scouting has taken over and he made the switch to Arsenal's academy in 2020 - where he has been ever since.
Working alongside academy manager Per Mertesacker, Bol's role is to manage a group of scouts and make sure they are always covering all parts of East London.
Along his way he has helped unearth and develop some of of the Premier League's most exciting young talents.
Zain Silcott-Duberry, who made his Prem debut for Bournemouth this season, is just one of the youngsters he has had a hand in developing.
While 14-year-old Trey Faromo, another Bol has helped identify, is thought to be one of the country's brightest talents and recently made his debut for Chelsea Under-18.
Now Bol is targeting a spot as the head of recruitment at a Premier League club, but still recognises how far he has come.
He said: "I feel proud of where I'm going. It's good to reflect every once in a while to remember how far I've come"
7
Zain Silcott-Duberry is a rising star at Bournemouth
Credit: Getty
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Rhyl Journal
26 minutes ago
- Rhyl Journal
Two men charged with murder after teenage pedestrian died in ‘hit-and-run'
Zulkernain Ahmed, 20, and Amaan Ahmed, 26, both of Locke Drive, Sheffield, have been charged in relation to the death of Abdullah Yaser Abdullah Al Yazidi, 16, South Yorkshire Police said. The teenager was walking along Staniforth Road in the Darnall area of Sheffield on Wednesday afternoon when he was hit by a car. It is understood that a grey Audi had driven towards three electric bikes, colliding with one rider, the force said. As the car continued after the crash, it collided with Abdullah. The teenager died in hospital. The driver of the Audi failed to stop at the scene, police said. The 18-year-old man riding an electric bike suffered serious injuries which are not thought to be life-threatening. He remains in hospital. Two people, a man, aged 46, and a woman, aged 45, arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender remain on police bail. The two men who have been charged will appear before Sheffield Magistrates' Court on Monday. Abdullah had recently arrived in the UK from Yemen 'for a better future', his family said. Relatives and friends of Abdullah said he was devoted to his family and would 'light up their faces with a big smile'. He arrived in the UK from Yemen two or three months ago, and had devoted himself to learning English ahead of starting at college in September. Abdullah's relative Saleh Alsirkal runs the corner shop on Staniforth Road which the teenager visited just before the crash. He said that he had a hospital appointment earlier in the afternoon and popped into the store, as he often did, before heading off to find some food. Mr Alsirkal said: 'His dad brought him over to change his life, to get a better future for his son, but this has happened and destroyed everything.' Mr Alsirkal said Abdullah was a 'kind boy' who just wanted to look after his family. He said he was really enjoying learning English. 'Every time he had a new word to learn he was so excited about it,' he said. 'It meant a lot to him and he learned quick. Sometimes he would stay in the shop just so he could talk to people. He tried to be friends with everyone.'
Powys County Times
an hour ago
- Powys County Times
Two men charged with murder after teenage pedestrian died in ‘hit-and-run'
Two men have been charged with murder and three counts of attempted murder after a 16-year-old was hit by a car which failed to stop at the scene. Zulkernain Ahmed, 20, and Amaan Ahmed, 26, both of Locke Drive, Sheffield, have been charged in relation to the death of Abdullah Yaser Abdullah Al Yazidi, 16, South Yorkshire Police said. The teenager was walking along Staniforth Road in the Darnall area of Sheffield on Wednesday afternoon when he was hit by a car. It is understood that a grey Audi had driven towards three electric bikes, colliding with one rider, the force said. As the car continued after the crash, it collided with Abdullah. The teenager died in hospital. The driver of the Audi failed to stop at the scene, police said. The 18-year-old man riding an electric bike suffered serious injuries which are not thought to be life-threatening. He remains in hospital. Two people, a man, aged 46, and a woman, aged 45, arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender remain on police bail. The two men who have been charged will appear before Sheffield Magistrates' Court on Monday. Abdullah had recently arrived in the UK from Yemen 'for a better future', his family said. Relatives and friends of Abdullah said he was devoted to his family and would 'light up their faces with a big smile'. He arrived in the UK from Yemen two or three months ago, and had devoted himself to learning English ahead of starting at college in September. Abdullah's relative Saleh Alsirkal runs the corner shop on Staniforth Road which the teenager visited just before the crash. He said that he had a hospital appointment earlier in the afternoon and popped into the store, as he often did, before heading off to find some food. Mr Alsirkal said: 'His dad brought him over to change his life, to get a better future for his son, but this has happened and destroyed everything.' Mr Alsirkal said Abdullah was a 'kind boy' who just wanted to look after his family. He said he was really enjoying learning English. 'Every time he had a new word to learn he was so excited about it,' he said. 'It meant a lot to him and he learned quick. Sometimes he would stay in the shop just so he could talk to people. He tried to be friends with everyone.'
Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
I'm a 42-year-old divorced virgin – the real reason I've never had any sexual experiences with men despite being married
Rhasha opened up about her experiences on TLC's new show, Virgins BEDDER BELIEVE IT I'm a 42-year-old divorced virgin – the real reason I've never had any sexual experiences with men despite being married Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A 42-YEAR-OLD virgin has revealed the real reason why she's never had sex, despite being married. Rhasha was married to a man for 10 months, but revealed that she never had any sexual experiences with her husband. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Rhasha is a 42 year old virgin Credit: TLC 2 She never had sex with her husband Credit: TLC She describes herself as a "late bloomer" and explained that her lack of confidence has stunted her in the bedroom. "I wasn't attracted to guys till I was like in my mid-20s," she told TLC show Virgins, in a clip seen by the Daily Mail. "I think it was just being overweight and not having confidence in myself." Rhasha revealed that she has always struggled with her weight, and believed that men wouldn't be attracted to her because of her size. Opening up about her marriage, she told a professional on the show that her ex-husband was an international student from South Korea. She explained that they never met up, but spent four years texting each other. "He was so sweet and made me laugh, so when he told me that he didn't want to go back to his home country, I didn't want him to either", she said. She said that she was completely in love with the man, but revealed that he only ended up marrying her for a green card. Rhasha is now determined to lose her virginity, but said that her ordeal with her former nupitals has put her off getting wed again. "I have so much love to give and I'm such a nurturing person, but I don't know if I want to get married because I was before and that was a debacle", she said. Moment virgin has sex on Virgin Island with surrogate partner The new TLC show sees four adult virgins aim to finally have sex. Alongside Rhasha, the reality series features Deanne, a 35 year old with high standards, Alex a 34 year old living in his mum and dad's loft, and Sonali, a 37 year old who has practically never dated. Describing the show, TLC said it's a "wild, warm, and wonderfully awkward ride with four adults who have yet to experience sexual intercourse, as they navigate love, intimacy, and self-discovery in their 30s and 40s." "After years of missed connections and dating horror stories, these late bloomers are done playing it safe," the synopsis continues. "They're stepping outside their comfort zones and taking big swings to finally go all the way, emotionally and physically. "From navigating awkward first dates to exploring a bondage class and working with an intimacy partner they're putting it all on the line in hopes of finally sealing the deal." Virgins is set to air on TLC tomorrow, June 9.
