VOLCANIC SHOCK
Donervon Daniels has been on an incredible life journey from escaping a Caribbean island eruption to getting stabbed in an East End gang war... but now he’s loving life in the Midlands
I was in E5 fighting E8 and got stabbed. It was 2cm from my lung
DONERVON DANIELS is thankful for many things but nothing comes close to the ultimatum that saved not only his footballing dream but also his life.
The 30-year-old Walsall captain was forced to flee his home country of Montserrat due to a volcanic eruption and moved to the UK with his family at the age of three.
By Daniels’ own admission, his development in the heart of East London almost killed him.
“We leave Montserrat and go to East London when I’m really young and for a long period of time we didn’t have a settled place,” said Daniels.
“East London now is so beautiful, so much more multicultural, built-up. A lot of money was put into the area.
“When I was growing up, it was underprivileged. There wasn’t the best schools, the environment wasn’t childfriendly and I found myself in a postcode gang.
“I lived in E5 so I represented E5. This wasn’t forced upon me. This was choice but this was choice because of my environment. Postcode wars have always been a thing in London. I am not glorifying it but it’s something that I partook in and something that ultimately nearly led to me losing my life.
“At 15, I got myself into a really unwise situation where it is E5 versus E8 fighting. I ended up getting stabbed in my back. It was two centimetres from my lung. I spent a long time in hospital.”
The devastating impact of Daniels’ injuries instantly became clear to him. His mum – who passed away five years ago – spent time by her son’s bedside, often in tears.
It was then when his first club West Brom attempted to intervene.
The Baggies offered Daniels accommodation and solace in the Midlands, something he believes allowed him to escape the horrors of gang warfare.
“They basically give me an ultimatum saying ‘you either move up to Birmingham fulltime and we put you in school, you’re going to be away from your family,’” said Daniels
“‘This is an opportunity for you to be outside of the environment that has caused you harm, causing your mum stress’.
“I would say it changed my life. It started a new trajectory for me as an individual.
“It was very tough leaving home but it was even tougher to be in that position being in hospital because I’ve been stabbed and my mum is there crying. Thinking back, it was traumatic. I’m ever so grateful for West Brom. Without them I genuinely believe I wouldn’t be the man I am today.
“The opportunity that they presented to me after knowing my situation, knowing the life I left but seeing potential in me and believing in my potential. They gave me the opportunity, it saved my life.”
For centre-back Daniels – who represented England at youth level – the highlight of his career remains his first full international camp with Montserrat at the age of 29.
He recently captained his country in a CONCACAF Nations League win against the Dominican Republic, before scoring his first international goal in a 4-2 victory against Barbados.
“That was surreal. It’s up there with the best achievement in my career,” he added. “Throughout my whole time and even playing for England, my mum always used to say ‘I want you to play for Montserrat’. It was a special, special feeling.”
Daniels is now a pivotal figure in the Walsall dressing room as they attempt to secure a place in the League Two play-offs. They are four points off seventh spot ahead of this afternoon’s home match with Salford.
“We have aspirations to be out of this division come the end of it. But it’s gonna be a tough challenge.”