CHELSEA STAR'S BIBLE 'MOST PRIZED POSSESSION'

CHELSEA'S red hot strike sensation Dean Sturridge puts the fear of God into Premiership defenders and  that maybe because he has the Creator on his side!
With nine goals from 16 Premiership appearances this term, the 21 year is on a high and is very much on England manager Fabio Capello's mind as a Euro 2012 squad member.
And it may be that his belief in the Lord  is the secret of his instant success in a first season that sees him become a better and better player with every game.
And he's as fearless in his proclamation of his Christian faith as he is when flashing into a crowded penalty area.
He declared: "My prized possession is probably my Bible. It's important to me because I'm very religious.
"I believe you have to pray, as well as work hard, in order to get what you want from life.
"When I was growing up I prayed every morning and night - and I still do that to this day."
A fervent Christian, he has already decided that his future will remain entirely stress-free from the problems of management when the time comes for him to call it a day.
The frontman added: "I would like to say now that I don't think I will ever become a manager. I think there's a lot of stress that comes with that comes with management and I don't think I could handle that.
Beyond God, former Newcastle legend Faustino Asprilla has also had a mighty affect on the Blues front man.
Sturridge said: "I used to watch Newcastle a lot when I was younger and he was there at the time so I had an affection for the club.”

PEOPLE TAKE A TEBOW ACROSS UK!
A CHRISTIAN American football player has sparked a new phenomenon across Britian.
The devout believer Tim Tebow (pictured) has always kneeled and prayed in a particular way to pray before and after games.
Fans started to strike the pose of the Denver Broncos quarterback across America – and the act of Tebowing is now spreading across the UK and the rest of the world.
Enthusiasts drop to one knee and bow their head in prayer before posting the photos of themselves on Twitter, YouTube and dedicated Tebowing websites.
In Britain, Tebowers have targeted iconic locations like Buckingham Palace, the Houses of Parliament, Windsor Castle and Stonehenge for their backdrops.
Sporting venues for Tebows have included Yorkshire Cricket Club and the St Andrews Links golf courses.
The term “To Tebow” has even entered the Urban Dictionary as: “To get down on a knee and start praying, even if everyone else around you is doing something completely different.”
To take a good Tebowing photo, people are advised to kneel on the knee closest to the camera and place their elbow on their other knee.
They should then place their forehead against their hand on that arm, drop their other arm and pray. The pose has been likened to that of Rodin's famous sculpture The Thinker.
Some of the most popular locations worldwide for Tebowers include the Eiffel Tower in Paris, Statue of Liberty in New York and India's Taj Mahal.
NFL quarterback Tebow, 24, is the son of Christian missionaries and he has previously written the names of Biblical verses on his face ahead of games.

He now kneels in prayer on the sidelines before and after NFL matches. The new craze has seen his name rocket to the top of Google's trending searches and Tebow tweeted “Love it!” as his trademark move went global.

KOREAN STARS SPEAK OF FAITH

ARSENAL’S new forward Park Chu Young is increasing his fan-base at the Emirates Stadium.

But the main reason the captain of the South Korean national team says he plays football is to evangelise people.

The devout Christian – who also writes “Jesus Christ” whenever he signs an autograph – said: “The first and main reason why I play football is to evangelise people.

“It would make me happy if just one person became interested in Christianity because of me.”

And you won’t find 26-year-old Park – who has an IQ of 150 – cartwheeling after scoring a goal because he prefers to get down on his knees to pray.

However, during his time at AS Monaco, the rest of the team decided to dive on Park – likened to David Beckham for his dead-ball skills – and left him with a knee injury!

Park (pictured above praying after scoring for South Korea) is not the only Christian on the South Korea team. Former Spurs left-back Lee Young Pyo is also keen to talk about his faith.

He said: “I became a Christian in 2001. Before that, to be honest, the idea of God was a fairy story to me. I thought that believing in God was just for strange people.
“Growing up in Korea, I was heavily influenced by Buddhism, and if I had chosen a religion then, I probably would have become a Buddhist.

“Then some friends of mine told me about God. Still, I was not sure whether I really believed God existed. If he did, I felt he needed to reveal himself to me.
“Over time, I became quite eager to find an answer to this question. Then one day God revealed himself to me exactly as I had requested. I was amazed! After that, I began to learn more about God, and I came to know Him more and more.

Since then, everything in my life changed, especially the way I think. Questions such as where I came from, where I’m going, what to do about my sins, and everything else I worried about as a high school student have been answered by God.
“One of the biggest fears anyone faces is the fear of death. That was certainly true for me. But now that I know where I’m going after I die, I am free not only of the fear of death but from death itself!
“In this way, God has dramatically changed all of my thoughts – my entire life! 

STRIKER'S ON HIS KNEES BEFORE GAME
MANCHESTER United's Javier Hernandez is rapidly becoming as famous a Christian as Kaka!
The brilliant striker has given many interviews in which he has spoken of his faith in God and those who watched the match against Chelsea on Sky couldn't have failed to miss him in prayer before the game.
For those whom missed it, click here for a You Tube video of the little Mexican giving his prayer and praise to the Lord ahead of the game against Arsenal in a recent game.
In Mt. 10:32-33 the Lord says: “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven.”
Javier Hernandez has placed himself in the best possible hands!

FAITH MEANS I CAN'T HURT OPPONENTS: RUGBY ACE
NEWCASTLE Falcons rugby ace Pete Browne could never be a dirty player.
The No8 says his Christian faith could never allow him to intentionally hurt an opponent.
Christian Today reports that while many Christians "might not like the harsher aspects of a game", vicar’s son Browne (left) said the whole balance is only what you make of it.
“The great Samoan coach and All Blacks international Michael Jones once said ‘It’s better to give than to take’,” he explained, admitting he constantly works on improving his physical impact.
“And he was talking about tackling and the whole Samoan culture of absolutely smashing people.
“But they do it legitimately, most of the time. So it is better to give than take, and in many ways I’m not a naturally angry person, and the whole physicality thing is something my size aids, but it’s something I really have to keep working on, and I think I’m getting much better at it
."I’m still living with students, which is enjoyable, but I graduated in the summer and that’s been good for my rugby.
“The way I see it, it is what God wants me to do, and I’ve got to be open and willing to hear from Him, and I’m an open book as it were.
“It’s exciting to have a degree in theology. I don’t know how I’m going to use it, but we’ll see what happens.
“My dissertation was all about an organisation called Christians In Sport, mainly critiquing that from a mission perspective and what its aims were.
“I don’t think they’re used to getting theology students writing dissertations on sport, but it’s not that unusual an occurrence to combine the two in life.
“My dad played rugby too, so the way I was always brought up to see it was that my sport is a gift from God, and lots of guys see that.
“For some reason I have been gifted with size and speed, and I hope I’ve got the aptitude to apply myself. So I see that as a gift, and there is the whole dirty side of rugby. While I play hard, I try to play fair.”
Browne is a committed member of the group of Falcons players led by club chaplain Matthew Knox in a weekly prayer meeting.
Along with Filipo Levi and Josh Afu, the quartet review their week on all levels, meet socially and take lessons from the Bible.
There is an open invitation to the whole squad, but for now, Browne said the general interest remains tentative.
“It’s a real encouragement to have some guys here whose reasons for playing are similar,” he said.
“Our motivations are similar, but also being able to pray with the guys is really great. There’s Filipo, myself, Josh and the Reverend of course, and it’s open to the other guys too, but none of them have taken it up yet."

SPURS STAR: 'FAITH HAS HELPED KEEP ME GROUNDED'
FAITH in Jesus has helped Spurs star John Bostock stay grounded and not be tempted to stray into the behaviour seen by many footballers, the 19-year-old has said.
The attacking midfielder, who became the youngest professional in history when he started playing in Crystal Palace’s first team at just 15, also believes many young stars are “running after God’s heart”.
In an interview to be aired tomorrow, Bostock – who won’t be playing on the opening weekend of the Premiership because of this week’s riots – reveals that he believes he has to take his off-the-field values on to the pitch.
He tells Nick Battle: “If you’re saying one thing about your faith and who God is to you, and then on the pitch you’re playing like everyone else, is there really anything different? We’re called to be salt and light.
“I understand that this talent isn’t really mine, I’m just a vessel of this gift and I have to use it correctly.”
Bostock – who married eight months ago – transferred from Crystal Palace to Spurs at just 16 years old and received death threats at a result.
Now, at 19, he describes a new London awakening of young players who are “running after God’s heart”.
“At West Ham, and at Tottenham where I am, there are a few young players that have been saved, and they’re actually running after God.
“They’re really desiring to know him. We meet together often and we just seek God, and to just grow in him. 
“It’s great to see young players who are supposed to be chasing girls, actually running after God’s heart.”
• Hear the full interview on Premier Christian Radio’s Men @ Work show with Nick Battle tomorrow (Saturday) from 8pm.
ANDY: I WON'T WELSH ON TELLING GOOD NEWS!
PRE-match rituals are nothing new for footballers. Whether it’s wearing lucky pants or putting their kit on in a certain way, it’s all done in the hope they’ll find good fortune on the pitch.
But for Carlisle United’s new signing Andy Welsh there’s no place for superstition.
And that’s because the 27-year-old midfielder (pictured left) prefers prayer.
Welsh, who played Premiership football with Sunderland, has been a devout Christian all his life and every Sunday morning he goes to church to thank God for having the opportunity of a football career and for other blessings in his life.
“I’m not saying I’ve found God but in the last two or three years my faith has become even more important to me,” said Welsh, who has joined League One outfit Carlisle from Yeovil on a two-year deal.
“I’ve always gone to church every Sunday, but it’s only in the last few years that I’ve found how much of a role God can play in my career.
“I’ve found more faith in God than I used to have and I think that comes with age.
“If I was playing now in the Premier League instead of back in 2005-06, I think I would have been better equipped because I’m older. You get more experience and a different outlook on life.”
You don’t have to know much about footballing life to be aware that not everyone in the game abides by a strict moral code.
In the heat of the moment footballers tell the odd lie, dive, use rough tackles to fell opponents or use abusive language.
Off the pitch, there are terrible temptations awaiting every player – and there are plenty of names with which we can identify: Ryan Giggs, Wayne Rooney, John Terry etc.
So telling the dressing room about the love of Jesus is probably out of place.
But Welsh says he finds it easy talking about his Christian beliefs – but he stops short of forcing his views down people’s throats.
“People are quite surprised that I go to church every Sunday because I’m quite a joker and like a good laugh, but God is for everyone,” he told the News & Star.
“You don’t have to be quiet and sitting in the corner to be a Christian, as many people seem to think. He loves everyone and that is the message I get across. He has always been there for me and heard my prayers.
“I’m no preacher but if lads want to talk to me about God, I’m more than prepared to. We had many a discussion about Christianity on the long journey to and from Yeovil.
“Everybody has different beliefs and I’m open to other people’s views.”
So, does he pray to score the winning goal?
“I’m not saying I pray to score goals, it’s just about being thankful for everything I’ve been given, including a football career,” he said.
For Welsh, it is more about being grateful for the blessings that have been bestowed upon him, like a football career which sees him on the brink of an exciting new chapter with Carlisle, a happy marriage and a new baby daughter.
Scotland boss Craig Levein insists the door is open to Welsh if he plays a starring role for Carlisle next season, and the former Sunderland, Leicester City and Blackpool player is ambitious to test himself in the Championship.
His strong faith means that he knows he is always divinely guided and will always take the right turn of the road.
Welsh, who is married to Rebecca and has one new-born baby Lillian, said: “People question God but when good things happen they don’t seem to thank him.
“My faith is everything to me. It’s a prominent part of my life.
“People sometimes see going to church as a chore, but God sacrificed himself for us. Going to church is small in comparison to that or even just helping out a charity.
“I’ve always prayed but I’m a great believer that you never stop learning.
“If you speak to priests they have read the Bible but they still go to bible groups to learn more.
“If you read the Bible, it can be complicated to understand. I’m always finding different things out that strengthen my belief and faith.” 

 ARGYLE TO BE HOME FOR CHRISTIAN EVENT!

PLYMOTHIANS will have a chance to step out in faith this summer, when Home Park hosts an afternoon of Christian celebration for the club and the city.
Plymouth Praise at Home Park is being staged at the home of Plymouth Argyle on Sunday, June 12, and will be led by the Anglican Bishop of Plymouth, John Ford.
It was John’s idea to unite the city’s various Christian denominations for the hour-long ecumenical event, in response to the financial hardship suffered by the Argyle office staff while the club has been in administration.
A collection will be held for the staff during Plymouth Praise at Home Park, which will include contributions from Faith & Football, the Vineyard Church band and the Salvation Army band.
Faith & Football is the Argyle-affiliated Christian Charity which runs a number of community and educational programmes such as community leagues in inner city areas and the Extra Time Literacy Scheme, which helps underachieving infant school readers.
Argyle forward Rory Fallon is an ambassador for Faith & Football, and could be making a guest appearance at the event.
Plymouth Praise at Home Park will also give people the chance to see the latest members of the Pilgrims’ team - their new joint-chaplains, John Rowland and Arthur Goode.
“When the Bishop first suggested this, who could have imagined it catching on the way it has?” said John.
“We will have a mixture of old and new songs, testimonies, and prayer for the city.”
Arthur said: “This will be the climax of 10 days of prayer throughout the city marking the time between Ascension and Pentecost, when Jesus’ followers gathered in the upper room.
“What better way to finish than by getting together and making a big noise at Home Park?”
Plymouth Praise at Home Park starts at 4pm, with gates on the Lyndhurst side of the ground opening at 3pm. Admission is free.

LUIZ SPEAKS OF FAITH
CHELSEA new boy – £21m central defender David Luiz – has spoken of his admiration for Kaka and his own Christian faith.
Luiz,  who has so far made three appearanaces in the famous blue shirt, declared: "My family has always been religious. My glory is all his."
Speaking to FourFourTwo magazine he said without God he didn't believe he would have left his life of poverty behind.
He continued: "I have all my blessings because He [God] has given them to me. He guides our hearts and without him I wouldn't have left poverty and got all the good things I have today."
Although he has never met Kaka in person who is a huge admirer of football's most famous Christian.
He said: "He is a man of the Lord and he is a fantastic player. I hope I have the chance to play next to him some time, either in Chelsea or Brazil." 

 MIDFIELDER SIGNS FOR CHURCH!
A FORMER Northern Ireland footballer, who is now a pastor, has described his full-time conversion to Christianity as "fantastic".
Stuart Elliott – who won 36 caps for his country – began his new life as an evangelical minister last week after being ordained at the Living Hope Church in Hull.
Speaking from England, the east Belfast man insisted his faith has always been more important to him than sport since becoming a born-again Christian at the age of 17.
The 32-year-old (left) quit professional football in 2009 to fulfil his long-held ambition.
"Ever since I became a Christian I've had a real heart to serve Christ and at the beginning I didn't see myself going into full-time ministry but as the years progressed I felt that that was the way God was leading me," he said.
The ex-Hull City midfielder, who was joined at the ordination ceremony by his wife and two children, described the event as "very special".
"I had a lot of friends and people over from Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. It was just a fantastic day and one that will live long in my memory.”
Mr Elliott revealed he first found God when attending a service at the Whitewell Metropolitan Tabernacle on Belfast's Shore Road.
"I was invited along to a tent mission at the Whitewell Church. God really started to speak to me through the young people that I saw there. It was September 3, 1995 that I actually asked Jesus into my heart."
On becoming a born-again Christian, the former window cleaner said: "You still have your everyday problems but you do have assurance of eternal life and you have a friend in Christ who you can take your burdens to. That is really how things have changed for me and I've had great peace and joy since I became a Christian."
Despite enjoying success on the pitch with numerous clubs including Glentoran, Motherwell and Doncaster Rovers, the ex-Ashfield Boys' pupil said his faith always took precedence over sport.
"It is everything to me. I loved football but my faith came first and always has done. I'm not ashamed to say that and I think anyone who has ever known me knows I've never made a secret of it."
Mr Elliott, who always prayed before going onto a football pitch, said his former teammates were always "very respectful".
His most memorable sporting moment was being part of the Northern Ireland team which defeated England at Windsor Park in 2005.
"It's every boy's dream to play against some of the biggest stars in the world and here was little Northern Ireland in a David and Goliath-type battle. I was thrilled and I'll never forget that night as long as I live."
Overseeing a congregation of over 100 people, the former footballer will share preaching duties with Shankill Road-born pastor, John Thompson, at the helm of the Hull church.
Mr Elliott added: "I don't know what the future holds but I know I will give it my best shot and hopefully I'll see a lot of fruit being borne in my Christian ministry."

THE RED DEVIL WHO LOVES GOD
MANCHESTER United's latest goalscoring sensation has revealed that the power of prayer is behind his dramatic rise to fame.
The Mirror reports that Javier Hernandez is a committed Christian who prays on the pitch before every game, to thank God for the helping realise his dreams.
But the deep-thinking Mexican centre-forward is far from selfish in his demands on the almighty, or Chico as he is known at Old Trafford, also asks before every match for God to look out for his team mates and the opposition, and keep them from serious injury on the pitch.
It certainly seems to work.
The 20-year-old (left) has burst on the scene with a remarkable nine goals already in his debut season, the latest coming through a fine strike against Stoke on Tuesday night.
And the talented striker is not afraid to admit that his faith is a large part of his game.
“I always pray on the pitch before a game. It is an important routine for me but it is not superstition,” he explained.
“I like to pray. I talk to God and I tell him to take care of the health of both teams because the worse thing for a sportsman are injuries and there are a lot of accidents on the pitch that nobody wants.
“I like to ask God to take care of me, because he gave me the opportunity to play.”
The approach of Hernandez is refreshing in the cynical modern era of football.
He seems unaffected by fame, despite his elevated status at Old Trafford.
But he comes from good football stock. Both his father and grandfather played professional football in Mexico, and he admits that their experience has given him a perfect grounding to deal with the attention.
United fans are already calling him the new Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, and while he admits that is massively flattering, he is not about to get carried away just yet.
“Of course it is flattering, because Ole is is a legend at Manchester United.
“Usually people compare me to my dad or grandad,” he said. “I’m only 10 per cent of what Ole was. I need to work harder and keep improving to became like him.
“Obviously my dad and grandpa were both former players in Mexico but the biggest advice they give me is away from the pitch - to be careful of bad influences and bad people. I am their son and grandson so naturally they want the best for me.
“I am enjoying my life in Manchester. My family have told me the fans have a new song about me [‘Chico is the man and he scores goals from anywhere’] I need to listen to the song and I need to thank the guy who wrote it.”

GAVIN'S FOLLOWING HIS CALLING
GAVIN Peacock is the former Newcastle and Chelsea midfield star who has swapped the warmth of a Match of the Day pundit's chair for a small church in the Canadian Rockies.
It was two years ago that he decided to move his wife, Amanda, and their two children, Jake and Ava, to Canada so he could study theology with the intention of becoming a church leader.
But he says that despite having to get accustomed to a new way of life, he believes he's following a calling.
Gavin (left) said: "I left England after Euro 2008, when I had been working as part of the TV team for the BBC. And not long after I was living in a small town in a strange country, getting up at seven in the morning to study Hebrew at eight, followed by ancient Greek at 10. And I wondered, 'What have I got myself into?'"
He may have wondered but God knew exactly why with the quietly spoken former midfielder declaring he had felt "compelled" to join the ministry as he read his Bible at home.
He told The Independent: "When I got the call to enter the ministry I just felt like that what I was meant to do. I feel compelled to do it. I was in my study reading my Bible when it seemed someone had highlighted the words on the pages. I suddenly felt the calling to preach."
A Christian since his teenage years, Peacock added: "I could have studied in England but we had been out here on holiday a few times and we just thought, 'Let's make a real break away from everything.'
"Coming to Canada was like stripping things back, I couldn't trade off my name. No one was going to give me a hearing because I was Gavin Peacock, ex-Chelsea captain.
"At first it was quite hard, being away from everything I had known – family, friends, football. And it was not like we were in Florida, sitting by the swimming pool. It was really cold and that was hard to get used to.
"For the first time, also, football was not a part of my life at all. It's not like going to Spain or Italy, or even the US. In Canada they have very little interest in soccer."
After a great footballing career Gavin created an impressive second career as a pundit, having moved up from local radio to working as a regular expert for BBC TV.
Giving up being famous has its benefits, however. Peacock now knows that he has had to work for everything he has achieved after making the move across the Atlantic.
It's been tough. He started out by learning two languages, Hebrew and ancient Greek, so that he can read the Bible in its original form.
He said: "The studying has been hard. It's been the hardest two years of my life but the most rewarding. I joked with my classmates once that I had played in front of 100,000 people in a Cup final at Wembley but I was more nervous about my Hebrew vocabulary test.
Recently Peacock has moved on to studying more practical skills, such as preaching and how to serve the community, working with a small evangelical church in Banff. "You have to be a shepherd to your flock," he says.
The pulpit is where Peacock now feels most at home. "I feel my primary calling is to be a preacher. I have been working at Banff Park Church and I preach there about once a month," he says.
"I don't wear a dog collar, it's quite casual, but I do wear a suit when I preach. There is normally about 120 to 140 in the congregation, which is quite big."
"I suppose I spend about three hours a day on Monday to Friday before I preach," he said. "I feel a certain amount of nerves, or fear, when I preach. I appreciate that it is God's word that I am preaching. I think you could call it a glorious weight."
He will finish his masters degree in theology in April, when he is hoping his relationship with Banff Park Church will evolve into a full-time job. He has sold his house in England and is committed to life in Canada.
"Originally we thought we would do three years and then go back to England. But we had a period of time back to England last fall and after that I realised I had to stay here.
"I've sold my house in England and am committed to life in Canada long term. I'm not saying I would never return to England but for as long as we can I would like to try to pursue things here."
Home now is Canmore, a bustling former mining town nestling in the Rockies with a population of 12,000, famous recently for providing the spectacular scenery for the movie Brokeback Mountain. Peacock's church is at the heart of Rockies' tourist trail, where sometimes the occasional British visitor recognises the former footballer.
Peacock has chosen the Associated Gospel Churches as his future home, a Christian denomination similar to the Baptists. "They preach from the scriptures and have a certain demeanour, a gravitas," Peacock says.
He recently passed a two-hour interview for the AGC, which means he should be ordained in two years' time, after a period as an assistant to pastor Norm Derkson at Banff Park Church.
He said: "We've got a good chemistry and he gives me the pulpit from time to time.”
If he maintains his progress, he will become the Reverend Gavin Peacock in 2012 and says: "I have not worked since I left the BBC and became a student. I am very grateful for the PFA benevolent fund that helps me with the costs of the course."
As he builds his new life in Canada, Peacock's former incarnation as a footballer becomes less and less important. "The guys at my five-a-side team all know about my previous career," he says. "And I do get recognised from time to time. Banff is quite a touristy place and there are quite a few English visitors.
"The kids sometimes go on Google and YouTube to see some of the old goals and games. They are good memories and I don't feel like I wish I was playing again. I had a full career and was blessed I didn't have any injuries. I was a good player, as good as I could have been, and I felt I achieved as much as I could have done."
But the key factor for Peacock has been the spiritual development of his family, an indicator perhaps of just how far he has come since he left England two years ago.
He said: "My faith has deepened, and as a family we have grown spiritually.Life in our consumer society can be very lightweight.
"People need to be fed meat rather than candyfloss. Hopefully, we are shepherding our children towards God, who is eternal."

WINGER TURNED TO GOD AFTER CRASH

VICTOR OBINNA thanks God after every match having cheated death in an horrific car smash. 
Obinna, 23, was on loan from Italian giants Inter Milan at Chievo when the accident happened three years ago and his eyes still widen as he tries to recollect the dramatic events.
He told The Sun newspaper:"There was only one road in and out of the training ground back to town.
"I was approaching a sharp bend, a hairpin bend and not driving at all fast. On the opposite side of the road one car was trying to overtake another right on the corner.
"He could not have seen me at all, the corner was too sharp. I just remember this car drifted over to my side of the road and there would have been a head-on collision and I would have been killed no doubt.
"All I had time to do was do my best to swerve out of the way. The moment flashed by, but it took me off the road and down into a ditch. The car flipped. I closed my eyes.
"I heard boom, boom. Then everything was still."
Obinna's Audi A3 was a write-off. He added: "I opened my eyes and was upside down with the airbags in the car inflated in front of my face.
"Then I managed to kick the door and it opened and I took off my seat belt and crawled out.
"People came rushing down the embankment. Fortunately, I was conscious.
"Because it was the only road, my team-mates started coming along soon afterwards. They rushed to me and then called an ambulance.
"I had a few knocks, my hands hurt. It could have been the end of my career, the end of my life.
"I keep thanking God because I couldn't have imagined what might have happened. I can't even think about dying or even not playing football any more.Incredibly, I was only in hospital overnight for observation in case I had internal injuries. I had a few scratches and a cut on my head. I went home the next day and was back in training two days later and played on the Saturday and scored.
"It was a miracle. I just had a few knocks. The pressure of football is nothing to what I have been through."
Obinna's lucky escape only fuelled his devotion to God - and he celebrated a vital recent victory over Spurs by going to church.

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