BOBBY REID: You've probably made the mistake of calling him

Bobby Decordova-Reid interview:

The personal family reasons why I'm changing my name by deed poll


Friday 26th October 2018

You've probably made the mistake of calling him Bobby Reid and thought nothing of it.

But there are a few things Bobby Decordova-Reid wants to say: about his name change, his mum and his move across a footballing divide.

Now seems like the perfect time, after the Cardiff City forward chalked his first goal for the Bluebirds against Fulham last weekend, his performance promising that he will after all justify the £10million transfer fee that took him to Wales from his hometown Bristol.





BOBBY REID:

"It was crazy, more of a relief for me after moving to a new club, getting that first one on the board and the win," he says with a smile.

Crazy it was, but Decordova-Reid's performances on the pitch — rightly or wrongly — had been secondary up until that moment when his lightning feet allowed him to slot under Marcus Bettinelli.

Like any footballer, he wants his feet to do the talking, but there's more to this 25-year-old than meets the eye.

For example his older sister, Marsha Decordova, is the Labour MP for Battersea and a prominent speaker about disability rights.

He's a huge fan of David Attenborough's television programmes and a supporter of animal rights himself.

And he's just started to support Welsh children's hospice Ty Hafan, where he recently paid a visit to struggling kids in palliative care along with fellow Cardiff new boys Josh Murphy and Greg Cunningham — who he rooms with for away games.

And that name change — including Decordova on his shirt to represent his mother — is important to him, no matter how many fans, commentators and journalists call him by the wrong one.

Footballers like Ryan Giggs and Dele changed their names early in their careers to dedicate their performances to single parents. And Decordova-Reid is doing the same.


BOBBY REID:

"I grew up with my mum. She was a single parent," he explains.

"I had my brothers and sisters around too but growing up she's done a lot for me: things like taking me to training. I had to get four buses with her to training because she didn't drive at the time.

"So I wanted to pay her back by putting her name on my shirt in the Premier League and she can watch me running around on the pitch with her name on my back on the biggest stage."

The sight of a young Decordova-Reid running riot against Fulham was enough to make any Cardiff fan smile, but his mum in particular has been struggling to hide her pride in recent weeks.

"She doesn't give too much away to be honest," he smiles.

"But I know deep down she's happy with it and smiles when she sees me on that pitch.

"I don't talk to my dad, we're not in contact. So it's nice to give my mum something that she deserves."

Still officially Bobby Reid in administrative terms, the Cardiff star is in the process of changing his name by deed poll — though he hopes one day his mum's surname Decordova will take sole place on his football shirt.

As for people getting his name wrong, he says he can handle that.

"I'm not too bothered really," he laughs. "But it's a nice thing I can look back on and enjoy.

"I think a few have called me Decordova-Reid. I've noticed it now and then. But I think for commentators who know me as Bobby Reid it's probably natural for them to just say Reid.

"I had to time it right and not do Decordova straight away, which is why I thought to double barrel it and eventually one day maybe just have Decordova."

It's not been straightforward on the pitch either.

Leaving behind his beloved Bristol was never going to be easy, especially rocking up across the border in Cardiff — and having turned down offers from some Championship heavyweights including West Brom.

But despite the pundits' adamance that Cardiff would be relegated at the first time of asking, Decordova-Reid believed joining Neil Warnock's men was worth the risk.

"I couldn't turn the opportunity down. I'm glad I made the decision," he says.

"I could have easily gone to West Brom and not been at the top of the table and not get promoted. It's ifs and buts. The ultimate is to come to the Premier League and I'm enjoying that.

"It wasn't a risk for me. I would have been kicking myself if I didn't come to the Premier League to showcase my talent."

Having starred for Bristol City in cup ties against Manchester United and Manchester City last season, he got a glimpse of the big time.

Now as Cardiff prepare to take on Liverpool — the club he supports — Decordova-Reid is prepared for that stage to get a little bigger still.

"I've never played against Liverpool so as a Liverpool fan it'll be nice to play against them and nice for the family to watch me," he says.

"It's what dreams are made of.

"But obviously there's a job to do. We're not going there for a day out, we're going out to get points."

Cardiff will be backed for a sold-out away end at Anfield and Decordova-Reid admits he will celebrate if he manages to stun the Kop and get a goal.






But what about a chant to reflect his new name?

"The fans will have to think long and hard on that one and get creative," he laughs.

Either way, there's no doubt this young striker is making waves across the Bristol Channel on and off the pitch.

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He comes across as a really nice guy. I'm sure his mother must be very proud to have a son playing in the the Premier League and a daughter who's a prominent London MP.

Interesting that his sister is an MP and Labour too, even better. I like his reasons for changing his name and also his support for animal rights. I'm liking him more and more

I'd have preferred not to know any of these things because none of them are anything I warm to much. Makes no difference though, I still think he's potentially an iconic player and deserves 120% support from us.

It's nice to get to know a bit more about our new players. I certainly do warm to this story. Comes across as a good lad.

[quote="llangainbluebird"]It's nice to get to know a bit more about our new players. I certainly do warm to this story. Comes across as a good lad.[/quote

A story that tells you his single mother had to work hard to help her son fulfil his dream. And now he wants to use her maiden name to acknowledge that.
What's not to like
Seems like a decent lad.

By the way I suggested a Decordova song when he first came....

To the tune Come on over to my place by the Fritters

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=RmRRBHNo4ZU

Decordova's at our place
Bluebirds are having a party
We're all singing
Cos City are winning
and Decordova's on fire!!

Well well well........REPEAT AS ABOVE

I'd have preferred not to know any of these things because none of them are anything I warm to much. Makes no difference though, I still think he's potentially an iconic player and deserves 120% support from us.

120% support, but f**k his back story, because you don't warm to it. Ok then.

I'd have preferred not to know any of these things because none of them are anything I warm to much. Makes no difference though, I still think he's potentially an iconic player and deserves 120% support from us.

120% support, but f**k his back story, because you don't warm to it. Ok then.

Too right wing for that

I'd have preferred not to know any of these things because none of them are anything I warm to much. Makes no difference though, I still think he's potentially an iconic player and deserves 120% support from us.

what the f**k are you on about. Raised by a single mum so wants to pay homage to her, getting involved in Cardiff community by spending some of his time visiting a childrens hospice? you're not a fan of those things?

I'd have preferred not to know any of these things because none of them are anything I warm to much. Makes no difference though, I still think he's potentially an iconic player and deserves 120% support from us.

This comment from you doesn’t surprise me.

Doesn’t mean I condone your arrogant comments that show a total lack of respect.

I'd have preferred not to know any of these things because none of them are anything I warm to much. Makes no difference though, I still think he's potentially an iconic player and deserves 120% support from us.

what the f**k are you on about. Raised by a single mum so wants to pay homage to her, getting involved in Cardiff community by spending some of his time visiting a childrens hospice? you're not a fan of those things?

I'd have preferred not to know any of these things because none of them are anything I warm to much. Makes no difference though, I still think he's potentially an iconic player and deserves 120% support from us.

what the f**k are you on about. Raised by a single mum so wants to pay homage to her, getting involved in Cardiff community by spending some of his time visiting a childrens hospice? you're not a fan of those things?

And again

The fact that his sister is a Labour MP is not important, other than to remind all that the current incumbents are a bunch of Jew hating fanatics.

The fact that his sister is a Labour MP is not important, other than to remind all that the current incumbents are a bunch of Jew hating fanatics.

They don't hate Jews just disgusted by the israel I government, slight difference.

This forum is probably one of the only places in the world where the mere mention of the word 'labour' is enough to get people spouting off in a political diatribe. Thread about bobby reid and it looks on course to being yet another anti-corbyn thread ffs

I reckon to the tune of Black Lace, a simple

Do do do
Bobby Decordova

We can continually sing his new name to show our support for him.

Brian Clarke was a Bristol boy turned Cardiff City legend hopefully Bobby Decordova-Reid will do the same

I reckon to the tune of Black Lace, a simple

Do do do
Bobby Decordova

We can continually sing his new name to show our support for him.

For some reason which I can't fathom I think that is brilliant

I reckon to the tune of Black Lace, a simple

Do do do
Bobby Decordova

We can continually sing his new name to show our support for him.

Hey I like it, short and sweet

To the Hollies, Air that I breathe..

Bobby...... Bobby Decadorva Reid
We love you

Bobby Decadorva Reid
He’s blue..