‘JUST FOUR HOURS AFTER I POSTED MY OPEN LETTER, I GOT A RESPONSE FROM THE EDUCATION SECRETARY. THAT’S MAD ISN’T IT?’

Footballer Troy Deeney, 33, is best known for his prolific goalscoring at Watford FC. After 11 years with the club, he returned to the place of his birth last year to sign with Birmingham City.

The eldest of three siblings, Deeney’s childhood was chaotic. His father emigrated to the UK from Jamaica, but he was raised by his mother and drug-dealing stepfather on a sprawling council estate in Chelmsley Wood. Growing up, he never saw people like himself represented in class, and didn’t learn any Black history. He rarely did his homework – instead spending his evenings collecting glasses in a pub. Deeney left school without any GCSEs, having being excluded at age 15.

Now, he’s using his high profile to campaign for the government to include the stories of Black, Asian and ethnic minority people on the school curriculum. The Big Issue sat down with Deeney for a cup of green tea to find out more.

THE BIG ISSUE: When did