Specials
MEET TUNJI BANJO! The former Super Eagles player who drives trains in London
If you know Ademola Adesina, Leotus Boateng, Okey Isima, Felix Owolabi and Richard Owubokiri, chances are that you also know Tunji Banjo.
Banjo is a former Green Eagles (now Super Eagles) player. Born to Irish mother and a Nigerian, Banjo made his debut for Nigeria in 1981. The midfielder would go on to play nine international games in Nigerian colours, scoring two goals before injuries ended his aspiration of playing at the top.
Fast forward to 2018, Banjo, who in 1978 – as an 18-year-old – played for Leyton Orient against Arsenal in an FA Cup semifinal, now ekes a living driving trains in England.
Speaking a UK’s DailyMail report, the ex-Green Eagle said he has worked as a bus driver, a dustman and a cleaner.
He said,
“The earliest start is 5am in Northampton which means I leave home at three’, he reveals. ‘I’ve been a footballer so I know the difference between that and proper work!
“I wouldn’t expect players from today’s academies to understand but it’s nothing new for me. I’ve been a bus driver, a dustman. I’d work summers at Orient, I did cleaning at Lord’s cricket ground.”
At Orient, Banjo played alongside fellow Nigerian and Green Eagles player, John Chiedozie. The two are among a group of young, black players at Orient credited with helping to change the face of football.
The Nigerian recalls some negative experiences, including racism, he had as a black man in the 1980s.
“I had a bad experience at Bolton early on,’ recalls Banjo. ‘I was warming up to come on and got all this verbal abuse and bananas being hurled down.
“We were brought up tough in London so it didn’t put me off but I’m sure those people looking back now must feel ashamed. It was just a way of life then. Sometimes you get angry about it but I don’t feel it does you any good to hold any grudges.’
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