Travis Graham - The Comeback

"I think the change in management was a big part in what happened."

This is your boyhood club where all your football dreams began. The place that groomed you to be the player that you were destined to be. The club that believed in you, even more so when you didn't think it was possible. This is the Travis Graham story.

It's a beautiful Saturday in Cape Town with clear blue skies but not forgetting that slight wind the Mother City is known for. The meeting with the photographers is set and we are moments away from meeting the man of the moment, Travis Graham who had briefed us earlier that he could be late as he would leave training with Cape Town City to eventually get home and change for what awaits him. As a journalist, you can never be too prepared as you may never know what your interview candidate may bring to the table but you have to know how to be in the moment -and keep it moving.

We arrive at the Radisson Blu hotel in Granger Bay and we are met by the young man and his fiance at the reception; do the necessary introductions and it's straight to business. We asked Travis to go and change into the Cape Town City shirt so we may get on with the photoshoot we had prepared for him before the interview.

Quite frankly one can't simply find the words to describe how exquisite the outcome of the shoot was but credit has to be given to the model who was effortless and worked well with the photographer. What is that mantra again? Ah "Team Work Makes The Dream Work.

We wrap up the shoot and get ready to find a more quiet spot to do the interview so to not interfere with the clients as the Radisson made this happen for us. We eventually settle for another section of the hotel's reception and are met with beautiful furniture - decor that is fit for a television interview you might want to know.

As we settle down, there is a bit of a not really awkward vibe but more of a guard being put up because Travis has no idea what I might ask and if he will be ready to answer the set questions but he already knew that it was a great honour having this 'sit down' with him and in hopes his story will speak volumes to someone who may be interested.



We kickstart the interview with the basic questions of how he is settling with Cape Town City considering that it was a slightly unexpected signing - but yet again - this is football.

"For me, it feels like a renewal of life. I have been on high and then I went down to the bottom. Everything just came into place, all the hard work came into effect and I am grateful for the opportunity and for people believing in me once again.

One could certainly feel the gratitude in the room, for a promising footballer that everyone grew to love and at that one moment, he was no longer playing. It is however fair for him to phrase it as a 'renewal of life' because someone [Benni & co] took a chance on him knowing what it's like to be a professional footballer and you go through these trying times and there are moments when it feels like all hope is lost and there's no one to give you a helping hand.

As the chat continues, I ask him about how he was working on his fitness when he didn't have a team because it is very easy to become complacent and let yourself go in moments like this; "So when I wasn't with a team I was still training by myself, getting personal training but on the other side it's not the same when you are not part of a team set up so it was difficult starting out with them [CT City] but now after a few weeks I am feeling very comfortable and hopefully the confidence will come back and the coach will give me the opportunity to play again.

The ice has officially broken and Travis eases into the interview even his body language was showing that he was feeling comfortable and what better time than to take it back to where it all started for him and how his beginnings shaped him to be the man that he is today.

"Devonshire Rovers was a family community-based football club. My dad used to play for them in the past. I grew up watching him play there so he obviously decided to put me in that team and that was my first step into the game.

"I started playing at the age of four, for the U9 I think. He would buy me a pie or sweets just to keep me happy because I used to cry every time we lost. I was quite emotional at a very young age, still very passionate at the moment.

A father figure with vast experience introduces him to the game but it clearly sounds like it wasn't all about football in the beginning; more of a hobby to get him to be involved in some physical extramural activity: "During the Devonshire Rovers time, it was more of a hobby. Obviously, my dad wanted to just get me into football as an extramural kind of activity and things got serious when I was about 16/17 that's when I decided that I can make a profession out of playing football."

Enters the Ajax era where it kickstarted for him as a footballer but at a rather tender age. Where to from here for the young Travis Graham? From academy to senior debuts and eventually captaincy. How did it all tie in together for the good?

"At the age of 9, I was scouted by Ajax Cape Town and I played there for about 16 years. I was there for a very long time and went up through the ranks and did my part at the time.

"That's when I eventually made my debut for Ajax against Moroka Swallows at the age of 19 which was very emotional for me.

"Unfortunately, it wasn't a good result but the whole environment and the emotions that came with it was quite extraordinary. It's difficult to explain so after that playing for one or two seasons and then suffered a bad injury.

"I was out for about a year because that was the second season and I thought it was over but then again I bounced back and then when I came back I was named captain by coach Roger de Sa. He put his trust in me and things just got better and better.

"I became the youngest captain to win a cup in the PSL so it was quite a good run for me. I have learned a lot through that time as well," as told to The L.A Dosage.

Here is the interesting part that he touched on; bouncing back from an injury which Travis didn't think he would recover from but he comes back and Roger de Sa who was the head coach at the time hands him this enormous responsibility. How did he eventually take this in his stride to become the captain they all grew to love - mind you - he was only 19 wearing the captain's armband.

"It was quite difficult because I was new to the whole captaincy thing at such a young age because you don't have that much experience but you have some background you can use but at the time because people don't see what's behind the scenes and there's much more to being a captain on the field where you motivate the players but there's much more. There are meetings with the owners, coaches, and deciding what preseason is going to be like. There's a lot of planning that goes into it and I have learned quite a lot with it and [laughs] I can add that onto my CV.

"I was nervous, to be honest quite anxious because I didn't know what to expect especially with the older guys; Granwald Scott, Dominic Isaacs you know veterans of the game now you're young boy being a captain and telling them what to do. It's not always easy but what helped me was that they were there for me and encouraged me to do what I need to do. Having support from the experienced guys was really helpful and you can't take anything away from that because you will always need help; and even as an older guy you can always get advice from younger players. You never too old to learn," he said.

Furthermore, we delve deep into that career highlight to date. Yes, it is a common question but it also has to be asked. No two athletes have the same story. This was oh so overwhelming for a young player who was still growing in his own game perhaps you may say still 'wet behind the ears' but he managed. What is that made this a moment to remember long into retirement; how did he cherish this significant moment in his career.

Graham goes on: "I think the time we won the MTN8 cup with such a young squad. I think that's the career moment that will top it all because people didn't expect that we would win it with such a young team that we had but again we showed character that no matter what people say - it is okay we can prove them wrong and that will always be a memory for me because I was the leader. I told the guys what to do and how to portray themselves. I led them in the direction and it was a good thing in the end because we go rewarded and that was the highlight for me,"

In essence, like every serious interview, some lightheartedness needs to be introduced and we did this by backtracking a little to who Travis Graham is behind the footballer. In all fairness, you have to ask because for some athletes, their chosen sport is their life and you sometimes forget the real person who came to be this sports person that you love the most - or hate.

He said: "So Travis behind the footballer is quite a funny guy [laughs] if you get to know me, very loving and caring. I am actually a brand ambassador for a non-profit organisation called Restoring Hope which cares for a lot of young kids coming from disadvantaged communities and providing for them.

"So for me, it's not about my self-gain but for caring about other people and making sure there is equality within the nation and the world which is why I am quite a loving guy - a guy that wants to give back.

But like so many other moments in life, they do say all good things come to an end and you have to seek greener pastures elsewhere; precisely for footballers. This following moment became the most talked about in the media and everyone wanted to know what had happened at the boyhood club Ajax Cape Town that had brought him so much joy and memories he would cherish forever. One moment he was the star player tipped to be the next Keagan Dolly. What happened? So many questions have been asked but did any of us truly know what had happened behind closed doors that led Travis Graham to be out of sight?

[please be advised that this was a heartsore moment for him to revisit but we took it in his stride and let him tell his truth]

Did it feel like the beginning of an end and how did his family help him throughout the rather tragic ordeal at the time? "I didn't feel like it was the beginning of an end for me. I was always positive that I would come back but I didn't expect it to be that long. Like I said before, I had planned my career how I wanted it to be but it never happened. But it was very emotional for me; I was in a dark space at the time - sometimes I wouldn't even want to see people.

"I would want to be in the room alone and sit there while things go through my mind but the support of my family and my fiance was vital at that time because I don't know where I would be at that time if it wasn't for them.

"My family would try to speak to me about it and it was quite difficult because I didn't want to talk about it at the time but they would always be there for me. I would go to them for like Sunday lunches and just being around them was a big part of me getting over the situation and trying not to focus on it alone because being alone is quite harsh.

"It was quite difficult because there were only a few who reached out to me and tell me they need me, how I am doing but to be honest there wasn't much. I was alone half the time even though I had friends at the club at the time but people just forgot about me.

"I think the change in management was a big part in what happened," as told to The L.A Dosage.

And then there was that said move abroad and reports from the media had suggested that 'Travis Graham had resurfaced in Europe': "Most people have goals and dreams and for me, I had planned everything the way I wanted it to be so starting at Ajax playing pro and going overseas. That was the plan initially.

"Unfortunately, it didn't happen. I hit a roadblock and that's okay. Some people don't get what they want but you have to accept it and move on. You can't just sit there and sulk and be negative about the situation. You have to adjust and start again planning and that's what I did.

"It's quite difficult, to be honest. You wouldn't think of being in this situation when you are on a high so when things happened for me the way they did. I didn't know what to expect but like I said the support around me was very vital and came in handy to keep me motivated but it was very difficult but I am just glad that I came out of it because most guys that get into this kind of situation never get out of it so I am quite grateful that I am still playing," he said.

Enters Cape Town City officially into the picture and 'the boy is back' but how did the move initially happen and why is it the right time for Travis Graham to make his comeback into football when people may perhaps have 'forgotten' about him or better yet 'least expect it'.



"I have known Benni & management for quite some time and City was one of my options after the contract ended with Ajax and they wanted me to come on board but at the time I wanted to be in Europe to give it a try. Things didn't happen and you know I eventually asked Benni & management if I could come here and train with them just to see how I am.

"They were actually surprised because they thought I was going to be overweight and fitness-wise that I wasn't going to be on par. It was good, positive feedback from them so things just happened quickly after that and unfortunately for the guys that got injured kind of made things a bit easier for me because they needed someone immediately.

"So that's when they offered the contract and I wasn't in two minds about the decision because I was kind of desperate but I was also trying to make sure that it doesn't affect my career again. However, things just played out very nicely. Comitis was the one who gave me my first professional contract and we also have a good relationship so things worked out very well for both sides.

"I know most of the players from the past as well so it's been good and also the veterans in the game - Teko Modise, Thami Mkhize have been pushing me and have been very positive in having me in the team. Things are all good. Good environment with no beef which is good. You can also see with results that CT City is getting at the moment has got to do with the environment - good team spirit.

As the beauty of this interview was drawing to a close, I wanted to bring out something that is very dear to him and that is his faith - a footballer who chose the Christian path and what it all means for him and his career.

"It was the upbringing. My parents put my sister and me in a Christian school. I think that kind of upbringing motivated it even though it is a choice but it helped me decide the kind of life I wanted to live but I think having faith or believing in something is very vital especially in Christianity. When times are tough you need someone to talk to and having that kind of faith is very helpful even though there were people who were in my life, it's been very ideal because not many people have someone to lean on.

"To be honest during my dark times I did questions my faith and beliefs but God always pulls through even though you are questioning the hard time you are going through. Then you go to church on Sunday and there's a scripture that speaks to you in volumes - so there's always a message that God sends to you, perhaps you don't realise at that moment but at the end of the day something will happen. So I am just still strong and keeping the faith and believing in Christ and what God has in store for me.

With all being said and established and Travis Graham has poured his heart out in his own capacity, we wrap up with his goals going further as an official Cape Town City player, if he still has hope in Europe despite the challenges that have come his way and what he would advise a young and upcoming player - when the going gets tough.

He said: [laughs] "Four years is a bit too ahead but for now it's just to get fit again and getting my confidence back and starting to play again. Whatever happens, I will leave in God's hands because I have been through the planning and I have learned the hard way from it.

"I am still keeping the Europe dream alive -in fact anywhere in the world. I am not just restricting myself to just staying in South Africa - if it happens it happens - but I will not be restricting myself.

"It's going to be difficult I must say. There will be roadblocks and people trying to pull you down and circumstances in your way that will be difficult to get over but if you have that belief and motivated enough to keep working hard, working smart not just going there without planning.

"Just keep on going keep on swimming like 'Nemo finding Dory' [laughs]. Never give up, that's the basic bottom line. Things will happen that you don't expect to happen but you just keep pushing through," he concludes.

A perfect example of what can bring in store for you. You never quite know if it will be the beginning of an end when the going gets tough or if you will rise above it all and be of great motivation to those who may find themselves in similar challenges.

This is the Travis Graham story.
**A very special thanks to Jongilanga Ayanda Ndamane and the assistant Sibu for the photography and allowing me to direct the photographs the way I see for the feature.

**A greater thanks to the Radisson Blu Hotel Waterfront for accommodating this interview with no hassle.