TIMES ELOKOBI PLAYED FOR WOLVES BETWEEN 2008 AND 2014, WITH LOAN SPELLS AT NOTTINGHAM FOREST AND BRISTOL CITY IN 2012
had to walk miles and miles to fetch some in a bucket.
‘People look at me now and say he looks big and strong, but all this was part of the growing process because of the stuff we did, washing clothes with our hands, cutting grass with a machete, and climbing fruit trees.’
‘That made George Elokobi. I was exposed to gangs as I had no real role model. It could have gone either way.’
The youngster, though, managed to steer clear of trouble, before joining his mum in England at the age of 16.
‘I chose to live my life right. It made me a better person, mentally and physically,’ he says.
‘Living in Brixton in 2002 wasn’t easy, it was one of the roughest places I have ever lived. But because of the life I lived in Cameroon I wasn’t fazed by anything.
‘But I was grateful. The minimum things people take for granted like water and electricity, cookers and heating were something I appreciated. Having three square meals!’
His family did not want him to be a footballer but he has been a cult figure at every club he has played for since leaving local side Dulwich Hamlet to break into the professional game at Colchester in 2004.
‘It doesn’t matter what I do, I try to do it the best,’ says Elokobi. ‘Even if it is fetching a bucket of water, the bucket will be full, not three-quarters.
‘I have to know I have given everything. I want to send fans home knowing they have had value.’
Sometimes it gets the better of him. At Braintree last month he confronted a fan after reportedly baiting the home supporters in the warm-up with the claim ‘this is my town!’.
‘It was nothing really,’ he insists. ‘I just wanted to ask a few questions.’ Even though Blackpool are chasing a League One play-off spot, Elokobi can smell another upset after Maidstone beat Torquay in the first round.
‘The FA Cup is a fantastic cup. We are here through merit. We are not scared of anyone,’ he adds. ‘I am thoroughly enjoying my time here. I know the fans are enjoying having me and I want to take this club places.’
Elokobi’s more than happy to be bleeding gold and black once more.