Walsall and Montserrat captain, Donervon Daniels, has had a tumultuous childhood marked by a volcanic eruption in Montserrat and growing up in East London. Forced to flee Montserrat due to the Soufrière Hills volcanic eruption, he moved to the UK as a child and found himself in a challenging environment in East London where he was involved in postcode gang wars. At the age of 15, Daniels was stabbed in a gang fight, narrowly avoiding a life-threatening injury. His injuries prompted his first club, West Brom, to intervene and offer him accommodation in the Midlands, which allowed him to escape the dangers of gang violence.
Daniels credits West Brom with saving his life by providing him with a new environment away from the dangers of East London. His move to Birmingham under the club’s care changed the trajectory of his life and career, allowing him to focus on his footballing aspirations. Now, as the captain of Walsall, Daniels has become a pivotal figure in the team’s pursuit of promotion to League Two. With two promotions under his belt from his time at Wigan, Daniels is looking to add another promotion to his career achievements with Walsall.
Despite representing England at youth level, Daniels’ proudest moment in his career came when he captained Montserrat in a CONCACAF Nations League match. Scoring his first international goal in a win against Barbados, Daniels describes the experience as surreal and one of the best achievements in his career. His decision to play for Montserrat was influenced by his late mother’s wish for him to represent his home country, despite his previous commitment to England. Chance meetings and his mother’s connection with the Montserratian Football Association eventually led Daniels to choose to play for his birth country.
Daniels, who recently missed an international camp due to injury, is fully focused on Walsall’s promotion push in League Two. With the team four points off the playoffs with two games in hand, Daniels and his teammates are determined to achieve something special this season. His journey from fleeing a volcanic eruption in Montserrat to surviving gang violence in East London to becoming a key player for Walsall and Montserrat reflects his resilience and determination to overcome adversity. Daniels attributes his success to the opportunities provided by West Brom and the support of his family and teammates.
