Premier League team AFC Bournemouth have shared the meaning behind a Bible verse that one of its footballers had written on his bandage during a match.
Ben Gannon-Doak had written Joshua 1:9 on the tape around his forearm and wrist, as he continued his journey back from injury by playing a development squad game.
The club, posting to its 2.5 million combined Instagram and Facebook followers, said: “The verse commands Joshua to be strong and courageous because the Lord is with him, wherever he goes.”
The caption tagged Ballers in God, a worldwide movement providing mentorship and sharing how footballers live for Christ.
Gannon-Doak spoke candidly about how his Chistian faith has sustained him through three operations in as many years, during an interview with BBC Scotland football programme A View from the Terrace.
The 20 year-old forward sustained a serious hamstring injury as Scotland qualified for the World Cup, in a 4-2 win over Denmark. Having left the pitch in tears on a stretcher, he now faces a race against time to be in contention for the squad after undergoing surgery.
“When I came to God, I started to feel a bit better and started to feel stronger, and started coping better,” Gannon-Doak said, “He’s never going to abandon you. So it was a good way to look at things positively and know that something positive was going to come out of it.”
“Setbacks aren’t really setbacks anymore, it’s just part of the plan,” he added.
Gannon-Doak shared his belief that Christian footballers are gaining confidence in being able to share their faith, having been “blessed with a platform to do the right things, to be good role models.”