Daniels: As a dad I had to help Mata charity
BOURNEMOUTH defender Charlie Daniels has credited the ‘unconditional love’ of fatherhood as the factor that made him become one of the first English players to sign up to Juan Mata’s Common Goal initiative. Daniels, along with Swansea’s Alfie Mawson, are the first British players to pledge one per cent of their salary to charitable causes. The global campaign, spearheaded by Manchester United’s Mata and supported by German and Italian superstars Mats Hummels and Giorgio Chiellini, will target the world’s poorest regions and create new opportunities for young children through sport. ‘Once I read through what they do, it was a no-brainer,’ Daniels said. ‘My agent let me know about it and I signed up to it without any hesitation. Doing something so little can have a big impact. ‘Juan has already sent me a message to say thanks for signing up, welcoming me aboard and hopefully we can build this up.’ Daniels was released by Tottenham as a teenager and was still playing with Leyton Orient at the age of 25. He has been with Bournemouth during their rise up three divisions and has earned his place in the Premier League the hard way. ‘I have seen all different sides of football,’ he said. ‘When we were down at the bottom it was a different culture. I like to think I have not forgotten where I have come from. ‘I was let go by Tottenham and that was the most challenging moment. I was going into professional football and not knowing where my career would head. ‘You lose your comforts. You are thrust into firstteam football, susceptible to ridicule and fans shouting at you. It does make you man up.’ Daniels, now 31, believes becoming a father to two-year-old Teddy and newborn Blakely has provided renewed responsibility. ‘Fatherhood changes everyone,’ he said. ‘The love you have for your kids is unconditional and nobody can really teach you that. You see children in a different light. The stuff you see on TV, those videos during Children In
Need, that does really get to me. ‘Every dad wants to give the best to their children. I am no different to that. I see this initiative as a chance to improve lives for children in a less fortunate position.’ Daniels says manager Eddie Howe and his team-mates have reacted positively. ‘A load of team-mates came up to me and we have talked about it and hopefully more come on board,’ he said.