I was told I’d die or end up in jail trying to avenge my dad’s murder but football saved me – now I play for my country
SHAMAR NICHOLSON says he was told he would die or end up in jail trying to avenge his father’s MURDER – now he is an international football star.
The 46-cap Jamaica forward is currently with Ligue 1 side Clermont on loan from Spartak Moscow.
And the boyhood Arsenal fan, 26, even held transfer talks with Watford during the summer.
Nicholson previously played for Belgian side Charleroi after landing his first European break with Slovenians Domzale.
But the striker has a tragic past after his dad Wayne was killed in Kingston’s notorious Trench Town ghetto.
Speaking to So Foot, Nicholson revealed: “Football is my life. I began playing aged seven – Cesc Fabregas was my idol, as I supported Arsenal.
“It is thanks to football that I could escape gangs and violence. It was the only option for me.
“When my father was killed I was at my lowest point and I quit football. He was my idol.”
Nicholson then admitted: “My only thought was to avenge his murder. I hung around with bad guys, and thought about killing people.
“Even before his death I was a troublemaker who looked for fights.
“I could easily have got a gun. My family told me I would either die or end up in prison.
“But instead I took the sensible route of following my dream of becoming a footballer.”
Nicholson continued to explain: “I began with Boys Town in Jamaica, playing without pay, then went to Slovenia as it was my dream to play in Europe.
“I could have gone to play in the MLS in America, but as a kid I always watched the Premier League on TV.
“It was tough at first in Slovenia. I would go back to my hotel after training and cry.
“My family stopped me from doing stupid things, and they saved my life.
“When I became a footballer I decided to give them better lives and help them out of the ghetto.
“I’m proud that now my mum, aunt and grandmother live in much better surroundings.”