Players Views
Lomana Lua Lua
Democratic Republic of Congo
Can you tell us a bit about your background?
I was born in Zaire, now known as the Democratic Republic of Congo. I came here when I was eight or nine. My dad and I have been here ever since.
Why did you come here?
I didn't really know at the time, I was just excited going to my Aunt in London because she was just like a stepmother to me. There were people after my dad back home so he came here to get a better life.
What was it like when you first arrived here?
I was kind of nervous and a bit scared. When you move it's like you're living in this area and you move to a different area and then you've got to change school and then suddenly you don't know anyone. So you've got to take time to judge and get to know people...I didn't know how to speak English and I didn't have any friends anymore and when you go to school you're all quiet because you don't know what to say.
Then I made three friends: one white kid, one asian and a Jamaican. We just started getting used to each other and they started helping me learn English, just bit by bit I started picking it up so I was happy. I grew up in a place in where you saw a mixture of cultures, it wasn't just about black or asian, it was all mixed.
So you mixed with other cultures and religions?
We used to have a debate with my friends, say my asian friends and about the Muslim religion. I had my own beliefs, I knew that there is a God and I knew there are no differences...I didn't see colour, I just wanted people to accept me for who I am and I accept a person for who he or she is.
What would your message be for asylum seekers?
There's a lot of things goingon and there are a lot of innocent people getting killed for no reason [in other countries]. It's not like here security wise, like you call the police, where I come from you can pay the police money: you do something bad, you can kill someone and you pay the police money and they just let you off. That's the reason we are here and my dad always used to tell me that you're here to make something out of your life.
Asylum seekers just want to come here to get better lives, to get educated - don't treat them wrongly just help them. And some of them really do need help.
I want to help because I am one of them, because my dad went through all that. Being a footballer people say, 'ah, it was your destiny', but I didn't know that. I wanted to do gymnastics, but I ended up being a footballer.
You could have played for England or the Democratic Republic of Congo, why did you choose the latter?
I was born in Congo and I love England; it was my dad's dream that I represent the country where we were born. They are football fanatics in the Congo - they're mad about football and I remember when I decided to go, the happiness on people's faces just sort of touched me. There's a war, people are dying, but everyone's just trying to forget it. I can't help them in many ways, but what I can do is put a smile on their face by going in there and performing. I will not forget, I was one of them.
Trivia
Last film watched: Matrix Reloaded
Favourite Rapper: 2 Pac
Favourite past player: Pele
Favourite current player: Ronaldo
Favourite NUFC player all time: Peter Beardsley
Favourite players in the Premiership: Thierry Henry, Alan Shearer
