Derek Jefferson
WOLVES STAR TURNED TO BOOZE FOR AN ANSWER
Retired defender is planning to bring Hope to the West Midlands this month.
As part of the Hope 08 initiative, former Wolves and Ipswich defender’ Derek Jefferson will hold coaching sessions and tell youngsters about finding faith.
Derek, who worked alongside the likes of Bobby Robson during his career, will coach in the Dudley region from March 31 to April 5.
After the coaching, he aims to share his powerful life story and how he turned to God.
Derek - who was nicknamed Chopper because of his reputation as a ‘hard man’ defender - revealed how he turned to alcohol after his two year old daughter died and his marriage broke down.
But all was to change when he visited his parents one weekend in Middlesborough.
EXCESSIVE
He recalls, ‘I decided at this point that there could not be a loving God and tried to fill my emptiness by drinking heavily and living an excessive lifestyle.
‘It was while visiting my parents in Middlesborough just after my marriage broke down that I attended a church service which was to change my life completely.
‘During the service a young man explained how God had changed his life. He talked about Jesus as a real person and of the forgiveness of God that he had experienced.
I found myself crying. I wanted what he had. I needed a new start. I had never really had any peace in my life and that night I found peace I had not known before. It has stayed with me ever since.’
Derek, after becoming reserve team coach at Birmingham City under Jim Smith, says his life ‘took on a new dimension’.
‘I was involved in football at the highest level but had a sense of peace and purpose I had never had before,’ he added.
He remarried to Linda, the daughter of a minister, and the couple now have six children between them.
After five years at Birmingham, Derek felt called to give up football and devote more time to his family and local church
Shortly afterwards, he launched Sports Pursuits, a football training organisation that gives Derek the opportunity to share about God.
‘I firmly believe that if God asks you to give some thing up he replaces it with something better. ! gave up football but now help youngsters to enjoy sport and improve their skills. I also show them how being a Christian can help them to enjoy it even more.’
For more information on Derek’s organisation, visit www.sportspursuits.org
