Jonjo Shelvey has seen it all — from the electric roar of Premier League crowds to the quiet stands of the UAE Second Division. But if you ask him, he’s finally found peace.
Earlier this month, footage of Shelvey’s missed penalty for Arabian Falcons went viral. The clip — watched by over a million fans online — showed the former England international skying his shot over the bar in front of barely 75 spectators at the Jebel Ali Shooting Club.
But Shelvey couldn’t care less.
“It doesn’t bother me,” he said. “People say I went there for money — what money? Players earn about £2,000-a-month here. My brother earns more working in a London hotel.”
For Shelvey, the move wasn’t about money or fame. It was about starting over.
After months without a club and a failed trial at Hull City, Shelvey jumped at the chance to join his childhood friend Harry Agombar, now the Arabian Falcons’ manager.
The 33-year-old said the move was as much about lifestyle as football.
“I just want to enjoy football again and spend time with my family. If I’m honest, I don’t want my children growing up in England anymore,” he explained.
He spoke openly about rising theft and insecurity back home, saying he no longer feels comfortable walking around London with valuables.
“You can’t have your phone out in London, in my view. I’d never wear a watch there anymore.”
Despite his new chapter, Shelvey’s heart still beats black and white.
“You’ll never find love at a football club like I found at Newcastle,” he said fondly.
During his seven-year spell at the club, Shelvey played through relegation, promotion, and the Eddie Howe rebuild era. His goal against Leeds United, he joked, might have “saved the club.”
“I scuffed the life out of it, but it went in! Looking back, that goal was massive,” he recalled.
Even now, Shelvey remains a big admirer of Howe’s leadership and motivation skills.
Shelvey isn’t done with football yet. While he trains in the mornings, he’s also coaching in the evenings and working toward his UEFA A License.
Though invited to reconnect with Howe and Newcastle, he’s determined to “earn it on merit.”
“When you get older, every session could be your last,” he admitted. “But I still feel good, strong, and fit — so I’ll keep going.”
Jonjo Shelvey’s journey from St. James’ Park to the sands of Dubai is more than a football story — it’s a story about rediscovery, humility, and finding joy beyond fame.
And while viral clips may come and go, the midfielder’s honesty and love for the game remind us why football is more than just goals — it’s about the people who play it, wherever they may be.
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