NECATİ Genç, a young football player who was born and raised in the UK, continues to be described as one of the rising stars.
Pursuing his dreams as a semi-professional football player and football coach at the Pro-Elite Academy, Necati spoke to the Londra Gazete, about how his journey started and the struggles he’s faced along the way: “My passion for football began at the age of 4 whilst watching my father play football or when I became a Galatasaray and Liverpool fan. I started playing football at 11 years old and my first team was Lee Valley United at Enfield. I’ve always had a great love for the game and from an early age, I’ve always known the games, so in terms of the rules and football analysis. Footballs have always been my love and passion.” He said.
Going on to say “But it wasn’t until I turned 17 and I realized I want to take football onwards as a career professionally. Thus, I’ve been training, networking, improving and accomplishing many successes. It was a proud moment for playing for the TRNC National Team in 2018 for the Conifa World Cup. Also, this season was my first season as a full-team footballer at Maidstone United…”
Looking at where he sees his future in the game going Necati explains “My future ambitions consist of having a career in the Championship league one at least, hopefully, Premiere league one day. If not I could see myself playing in Europe. My future is football, that is always what I wanted and I am going to keep going without giving up. Nothings impossible but my dream wouldn’t be possible if it wasn’t for my grandmother and grandfather supporting me financially as well as behind the scenes along with my parents.
“As a young person living in London, it is very difficult, not only in football but in general. There is always a lot of competition around you. Hence, football is one of the most dominant types of sports so thousands of people want to become a football but the chances of everyone becoming one is extremely low. You have to make sure what other people aren’t doing, it’s vital to get ahead of the queue. It’s difficult growing up in London purely cause of the competition around you and the struggle of standing out from the crowd. Teams in London also want the best of the best.”
Looking at how ethnic minorities players also face a struggle Necati said “Ethnic minorities are not equally represented in football because being a young Turkish Cypriot player to pursue the game there are only 2 or maybe 3 people in the professional field. Due to the lack of Turkish speaking people in the professional game, it makes it much more difficult to get to where you want to be. In comparison to English players, cause there’s many English managers or coaches it’s much easier for them to grab that opportunity. When I was younger I’ve been to professional teams and I was the only non-White person there, thus going to a club where your face doesn’t fit takes away the opportunity because your judged by the way you look. They’re not judging you on your football skills alone but also the way you look, therefore it’s difficult for ethnic minorities to get into the professional game.”
Necati went onto say that his advice to youngsters is to look at the bigger picture when a thing may seem they are not going your way and invest in your future stating rather than spending money on designer clothing invest in yourself.