FROM THE CONGO TO THE RIVERSIDE
Assombalonga bringing hope & friendship to young asylum seekers: I know the problems they face and how hard life is BECAUSE I WAS ONE OF THEM Amazing story of how Boro star is bucking the trend and giving something back
BRITT ASSOMBALONGA’S memories of being an immigrant child in London flood back.
He is patiently teaching a man called Patrick Ititini some English words.
The pair have just played five-aside and chatted in the Lingala language. They talk about sharing the same birthplace and early years in Kinshasa, Congo. And football, of course.
Assombalonga, 24, is Middlesbrough’s new £15million striker, an immigrant who arrived with his parents 22 years ago.
Patrick, the same age, has been sent to Middlesbrough from an asylum seeker’s holding centre, claiming persecution in his homeland.
Assombalonga gives thanks every day for his good fortune, and the hard work of his parents, for the prosperous life he has built.
Patrick lives in a shared bedsit near the Riverside Stadium, while the authorities decide if he can stay.
The meeting stirs Assombalonga. He has a natural empathy with Patrick and the lads he is teaching English at Middlesbrough’s Foundation. Same people, different circumstances.
Unusually in football, he is brave enough to be passionate, compassionate and political on issues of immigration, racism and integration.
He says: “It is real sad, people not wanting certain people to be here, but we are all human.
“I assume everyone wants to help everyone deep down in their hearts. To refuse someone entry or say they are not equal – that’s rubbish.
“Everyone is the same. They have not come here to start trouble. They have come here to learn the language and better their life, just like we did. To provide food on the table for their family.”
His own family’s journey has been long and hard, but is now bearing the fruits of life as a top striker.
He says: “We came to England when I was two. My mum Beatrice and dad Fedor say was hard. They couldn’t get work permits. They had to make money. They both did cleaning. One in the morning, one at night. They were not going to get minimum wage.
“It was like, well, you want to work, we will pay you £3 a hour. Really bad. We used to eat the same food every day. It was cheap to get semolina, you can get the big bags for a few quid. You can only imagine. That was all we knew from back home.
“She didn’t know about cooking English food. When I was 17 and I went to Watford, she’d take me and wait all day at training because there was not enough petrol in the car to go home and back.
“I would bring her lunch out in a bowl and it was the first time we’d had pasta! Watford gave us a sheet of things we should eat and one day she cooked us all pasta.
“My sisters and brothers were like, ‘what is this?’” Beatrice and Fedor shielded their kids from racism.
Assombalonga (below) adds: “I have not had it myself, but mum and dad did at work. They had it quite hard. Name calling, belittling, feeling uncomfortable. “They couldn’t say anything because they’d be told, ‘Get out’.They were just waiting for the work permit to come.
“It took 12 years to get that work permit. Only then can you ask for a certain wage and say you want to do these hours. It hurt to see them come home sad.
“They protected us from it because they didn’t want us to have that kind of fear in our head. They wanted us to feel the same way about everyone.
“I didn’t get my British passport until year nine. I was so proud. At any time we could have been told to get our stuff and leave and we are blessed that we are here. I am so proud of my mum and dad. I thank them every day.”
Assombalonga sees parallels from his own past in the struggle of Patrick and the rest of the immigrant five-ait
side group Boro are helping. He said: “These guys, they’re coming over and trying to make a better life. Sometimes escaping from fear and persecution.
“It is a shame. People want to learn English. They see the UK as a place where there are opportunities and peace. This is a country to get a better job and learn.
“My family came here because they wanted my brothers and sisters to get a better life, and education.
“All I spoke at home was Lingala and French. Then I went to primary school and learned English.
“I spoke to Patrick just then. It brings back all the memories about my mum and dad. They are trying. Really trying. They want work and work hard.
“Patrick and me have an affiliation. Both from Congo. I speak the language. We chatted in it. He felt free to speak to someone from Congo and knows the struggle. He told me he has dreams and ambitions here.
“Football helps everyone integrate. It is one language. The feet do the talking. You say someone is a good player and they start talking and it is a never-ending story. It brings everyone together. I remember in London, we lived in a tall block in Abbey Road and we had all sorts of nationalities and we’d play football.
“Football helps a lot. It has made me a better person.”
Assombalonga tells the group about his journey up the leagues – including Braintree and Southend.
“I have been the record signing for all my clubs! It is a big achievement. My mum tells everyone! She says, ‘My son is the record signing of Forest and Middlesbrough’!
“I’m not going to boast about it, but she can! When my little one does something good when she is older I’ll be telling everyone!”
They ask if he will be the Championship’s top scorer, with more than 20 goals. “Yes!”
They vow to follow him and support Boro. “I’ll have to do it now,” he says. “Or I’ll not be able to show my face next time!”
The asylum seekers are captivated and smile. Perhaps they see hope for themselves in Assombalonga’s story.
MFC Foundation has engaged with 500,000 people, delivering 20,000 qualifications and invested £25m in the Teesside community.