A new YouTube series called SPFL United, launched by the SPFL and SWPL, aims to tell inspirational real-life stories that makes league football in Scotland so compelling.
Co-hosted by coach and broadcaster Marvin Bartley and Gartcairn Women FC’s Kaela McDonald-Nguah, SPFL United is a celebration of Scottish football’s diversity across all four SPFL divisions and the Scottish Women’s Premier League.
The new campaign is timed to support Black History Month and complement Show Racism the Red Card’s upcoming weekend of action.
So, the opening episode focusses on Alloa Athletic goalkeeper, Tochukwu Ogayi, and how he was forced to flee war in Ukraine.
The series also spotlights St Johnstone flat-mates Aaron Essel, from Ghana, and Andre Raymond, of Trinidad and Tobago, discussing the Saints’ multi-cultural dressing room and why Scotland is now home.
And in the SWPL, Gartcairn player Kaela McDonald-Nguah interviews Glasgow City player Rammie Noel about life as a footballer growing up in the US, and making the move to Scotland earlier this year.
Tochukwu, 28, told Bartley about the challenges of growing up in Lagos, Nigeria before expanding on his final days in Ukraine: “It was very difficult. I wanted to go to the bunker just to be safe”
Ex-Hibernian star Bartley asks: “How scary was it? Did you ever think you were going to lose your life?”
Tochukwu replied: “Yeah - I remember I opened the blinds and looked down and I saw people running with bags. At 5am there was a big bang, and you could see a big fighter jet coming down. The flames were enormous.
"It was very, very scary. It was shot out of the sky. My parents were very worried.”
Tochukwu’s family encouraged him to leave the country, and he then played in Germany, before emailing clubs across the world looking for his next move.
He decided Scotland was the place to restart his career, earned a move to League One side Alloa after a successful trial last summer.
“There’s no better feeling than arriving in a country where everyone speaks the same language," the fans' favourite said. "You feel very relaxed.
“It is home for me now. I’ve felt very welcomed.”
Read more:
-
Cristiano Ronaldo 'chased' for half a mile down Glasgow street
-
How taking youth development into the boardroom made Danes great again
Bartley said: “It was a real pleasure to speak to some of the players across the SPFL about their back story, how they arrived in Scotland, and what makes this league so special.
“Tochukwu’s story is incredibly powerful, and it’s great to hear how happy Tochukwu, Aaron and Andre have been with the move to this country.”
Calum Beattie, SPFL chief operating officer, said: “There are so many important human stories right across the SPFL and SWPL, and we believe the SPFL United content series will really bring some of those to life.
“It’s been great to hear that the players involved have had such a positive time since arriving in the SPFL and SWPL, and we look forward to telling more SPFL United stories in the months and years ahead.
“We’d lastly like to thank Marvin and Kaela for their good work on the campaign, as well all the players and clubs involved for sharing their very personal stories on how they came to arrive in Scotland and play in our leagues.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here