New swans signing has spoken this morning about his foundation which he started with a Coventry associate eighteen months ago. And his induction on to the football black list.
Christie was named on the 2021 Football Black List, which recognised the UK’s most influential individuals from the black community working within football. His foundation can be seen here
Christie spoke today to Swansea Official very passionately about his off the pitch interest "I started the foundation maybe 18 months to two years ago, with a guy from Coventry, and he was able to help me put things in place to help it grow and help more people,” he said. "My end goal is to create a scholarship foundation that helps people who are underprivileged and maybe don’t have the opportunities other people get to push through and succeed in their dreams. It’s not just people who want to be footballers, there are people who want to be musicians, to be lawyers, to go to university and find those opportunities. There are many people who don’t get the chance to get to certain places. It’s about giving them the platform to reach their dreams and inspire the next generation. Of course, I was proud of being named on the Black List, it is great to be recognised among such great names and, like I said, it’s about being able to help people. Obviously, Marcus Rashford has a bigger platform than me, but we are slowly making changes and you can see it. It’s one of the biggest achievements you can have, to put smiles on people’s faces and give them the opportunity that you did not have when you were younger. This world is about the next generation, they are coming up and need the opportunity to succeed. It was an honour to be named amongst such a group of people.”
From a football perspective Christie will be seen as a gamble due to his lack of game time this season, playing only once, however he has the desire to fulfil Russell Martin’s expectations of him. "I am a front foot player, I like to be on the front foot and I want to get up to match sharpness as quick as possible and fit right in and show my quality. It has been a tough time recently where I have not been able to show my full ability. The opportunity has been hard to come by, so I want to come here and show that quality and prove it. I want to help the lads push up the league, and this is a league where anything can happen, especially with those games in hand.”
Swans manager Martin once again displayed his desire and focus putting Swansea first in getting Christie in to Swansea this morning. "I am looking forward to playing some football again, I spoke to the manager and straight away he almost made my mind up for me. It’s always great when a manager rings you and outlines everything he wants from you and how he sees you fitting in. He spoke about his ideas and as a footballer it goes a long way when you feel wanted by a manager. This is a big club, playing brilliant football. I thought Swansea did really well at Fulham, it’s about those fine margins in the Championship and I hope I can bring some experience to the team, because it’s a young team that is going places and playing football the right way.”
After a few stumbles along the way we welcome Cyrus Christie to the Jack Army.
The Football Black List, founded in 2008 by Leon Mann and Rodney Hinds, is positioned to help shine a light on the black professionals working in the industry to inspire the next generation of leaders in sport.