Some story this, credit to the lad. Hull City and England Under-20 Moses Odubajo and his brother Tom hid the fact they were living alone from social services after their mum died of malaria 1COMMENT please log in to view this image Moses Odubajo As a Premier League footballer, Moses Odubajo’s life is full of the trappings of success. But a family tragedy meant he had to overcome harrowing hardship to get where he is – so the 23-year-old takes none of it for granted. He lost mum Esther to malaria when he was just 13, leaving him and 15-year-old brother Tom to fend for themselves in an inner city London council flat. Because she died in Uganda, they fell under the radar of social services and, determined not to be separated, survived on less than £400 a month. They often had to choose between heating and food, and lived on tins of sardines, corned beef and sweetcorn – often scrounging £2 school lunches or eating at friends’ homes. Hull City player Moses said: “They were tough times but we never felt sorry for ourselves, that’s not the way mum raised us. She just got on with life, so we did too. "Mum brought us up to be independent and there was no way we wanted to be separated in children’s or foster homes. "We wanted to stay together so we managed to hide what was going on from everyone, including teachers.” Sunday People please log in to view this image Moses as a boy with his mother, Esther Former nurse Esther ran a sexual health advice centre for youngsters in Peckham and in 2005 got the chance to help people in Ghana. Having grown up in Nigeria, where a quarter of the world’s malaria cases are recorded, she mistakenly thought she was immune and did not get vaccinated. When Esther returned two months later she had the first symptoms. She flew to Uganda for treatment in September 2006 but died within days, at 45. Moses was on trial with Millwall when his stepdad broke the news. He said: “In my 13-year-old world, it never occurred something would happen to mum. It seemed so surreal. "Nobody had mentioned malaria. I remember thinking she must have been very poorly when she took to her room, away from us boys, as she always wanted to be around us.” Sunday People please log in to view this image Esther died of malaria and Moses and Tom tricked social services into thinking they weren't living alone Esther’s body was flown back to their flat in Downham, South East London. After the funeral, Moses said his grieving stepdad moved out, staying a few nights a week at first and then visiting once a week to drop off the Family Allowance of £20. He paid rent, council tax and electric but the boys had to cover food and gas. Brother Idris, who was 19 and had left home, helped out but took Esther’s death so hard he turned to crime and got two years for robbery. And, deep in shock, Moses quit football. “I lost interest in everything,” he told theSunday People. It was Tom’s talent that kept them afloat as he earned £300 a month at Barnet FC’s academy. Moses said: “Tom looked after the money. If I’d ask to go somewhere and he said we didn’t have the money, I wouldn’t go. "If the gas meter ran out, it ran out. We’d fling extra jumpers on because we’d rather eat.” AMA/Getty Images please log in to view this image Moses now plays for Premier League new boys Hull City and England Under-20s Getty Images please log in to view this image Moses returned to football in 2009 on a youth scholarship at Leyton Orient and graduated to the senior squad in 2010. He went to Championship side Brentford four years later for a rumoured £1million before joining Hull City for £3.5million on a three-year deal. And he has also been called up by England, playing in the Under-20s squad. He now lives in a palatial home in Leeds but has never forgotten his roots, saving cash and making investments because “a career in football is short”. John Gladwin / Sunday People please log in to view this image Moses is raising awareness of a malaria charity in his mother's memory Tom recently signed for Grimsby Town while Idris runs his own cafe. Moses said: “Wherever mum is, she’ll be proud and happy to see we’ve done so well.” In memory of Esther, Moses is supporting charity Malaria No More. Last year, there were 214 million cases of the disease, which is carried by mosquitoes, and 438,000 deaths. Yet £1 mosquito nets could cut fatalities by half. Moses said: “I know personally how malaria destroys lives. If everyone gave £1 it would make a huge difference.” To donate, visit malarianomore.org.uk/why-malaria http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/premier-league-stars-amazing-rise-8575391?
Yes - some real strength of character there . We saw last season what a steady temperament he has. What a shame he has chosen to live in Leeds, perhaps he feels he has to help those less fortunate than himself?
Wow.!!! I thought what a great lad he was when he first signed.. Now!! Moses you've gone up ten fold in my eyes... Life throws crap at you from time to time, believe me I know, it's how you deal with it that makes you what you are....
To be fair, Odubajo's games at the beginning were very poor, unfortunately. He came on leaps and bounds in the second half of the season! For me outstanding, his defensive abilities improved no end. The one thing you can't deny is the fact that he really wants it, which is why he improved IMO! This story is probably the reason why he strives so hard.
I lost my father when I was 15 ... So hats of to him and his brother amazing story what a guy. Make a full and speedy recovery Moses. Your mum would be very proud.
There was a stage near the beginning where his ability to defend was seriously questionable, Robbo was going through it too around the same time. Since those times he has improved no end as I said, but he was at fault in a number of games, I can't remember which ones & without being able to search for those posts I'll never be able to tell you which ones, but he definitely was dodgy early on.
I did question initially why we had bought him, as early outings in the team really weren't great, I thought.
Really gut wrenching but also heart warming story, I'm really pleased for him. I also wasn't massively impressed by him at first, and I seriously questioned why we let Rosenior go, but I feel a bit silly now because he's improved hugely and some of his performances towards the end of last season, particularly in the play off games, were among the best I've ever seen from a City full back.
He's got a great attitude and I'm glad we've got him. Can't wait for him to be back. We still should have kept Rosie though, playing Clucas at LB was disastrous, Rosie is a perfect squad player if he isn't starting and a great character to have at the club. Getting rid of him is still up there with Allam's and Bruce's worst decisions IMO.
