Ex-defender Onuoha gets community trust call up
NEDUM Onuoha says he wants to be a link between City and the people who benefit from the club’s community work as he has been appointed as a trustee on the City in the Community board.
Onuoha, 34, has been involved in City’s media operation over the last year since retiring from playing following a stint in the MLS at Real Salt Lake City, as well as appearing on various other media outlets, impressing with his tactical knowledge of the game.
Now, he is taking a more permanent role at City, joining CITC as a trustee after benefitting from their schemes growing up in east Manchester not far from where the Etihad stands now.
Speaking to the Mail, he said: “If it was a case of being a silent partner then just wheel me out, I’ll take a picture, sign an autograph. I like the idea of being part of the process. You know every detail, why it matters.
“This charity is 35 years old this month and they are very successful. I was actually part of the scheme when I was younger, taking penalties against Alex Williams. I should’ve realised then that penalties weren’t for me.
“I’m entering the board as the youngest person by... possibly a lot. Possibly the person who’s lived closest to the stadium. I’ve not moved to south Manchester and thrown money about with Bentleys.
“I could perhaps be a link to the people who we’re doing this for. Beautifully, every time I come to the Etihad I drive past my old house down Bradford Road.”
Onuoha came through the academy at City and made over 100 appearances for the Blues between 2004 and 2012, before a loan to Sunderland for a season was followed by a permanent exit to QPR.
The former defender says mental health is an issue he is keen to get involved in with his new role, saying: “Care about the people around you. When I ask people how they’re doing, I wait for an answer. I don’t walk away. I genuinely want to know. That was a big deal for me in my career.
“When I was playing at City, I didn’t realise how good I had it. I’d drive from Carrington to see my friend over in Parrs Wood or Stretford after training. The city felt like it was mine. That is not a normal experience for somebody playing football.
“To have that feeling towards the city and the club, which I joined at 10, did ballboying, to be able to come in now and potentially positively affect the community is a very tough thing to turn down. To be on the board and have a voice is incredible.”