A lot of people don't know that my father is black.

I do not wish to hide my origins, nor do I seek to make it a subject of conversation. I am what I am.

I am proud of my black roots and of the black blood that runs in my veins.

He was a professional rugby player in the area that I played as a youngster. So a lot of people who I went to school with knew who he was and knew that he was black. So I would get racist taunts in school.

As a footballer I can't imagine life without the use of one of my legs... Sadly this is exactly what happens to thousands of children every year when they accidentally step on a landmine.