On the 25th of February in 2016, a young and sprite 18-year-old striker marked his debut with two goals. He broke a record for the youngest player to score a goal in a European competition match, his name was Marcus Rashford.
In the 2018/19 season, Marcus was passed down the number 10 jersey, formerly worn by Manchester United greatest players Wayne Rooney, Teddy Sheringham and Ruud Van Nistelrooy. The passing down of such a prestigious number would catalyse the transformation of a player who would make his mark, not only on the pitch but off the pitch.
In the 2019/20 season, Marcus Rashford scored 17 goals in United’s campaign, only 6 goals away from leading goal scorer Jamie Vardy. A sizeable difference in the schemes of things, however, for a twenty-one-year-old, foreshadowed what's to come in his young career.
Now with his name in light, Marcus Rashford decided to use his platform to create meaningful change in both the British political and social landscape. In 2020, as the world shut down due to COVID-19, Marcus decided to do what no other premier league player had ever done. As the British government decided to cancel the allowance for free school meal vouchers in the UK, Marcus decided to challenge the ruling and challenge the British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson.
A fearless player on the field and a fearless advocate off it, here is why Marcus Rashford is the most influential English Footballer of all time.
"As a family, we relied on breakfast clubs, free school meals, and the kind actions of neighbours and coaches."
Growing up in Wythenshawe, South Manchester, Marcus was one of five children raised by his single parent, Melanie Maynard. His family was often famished off food. Melanie would have to seek help from her friends and family to cater for Marcus and her four other children. She would often skip her meals to provide for her children, not to mention would work up to three jobs to support her family. This act of courage and selflessness has acted as inspiration and motivation for Marcus and his current endeavours.
In October 2019, in partnership with his mother, Marcus Rashford started the “In the box campaign” which sought to give homeless people essential items over Christmas. Such items were distributed all over Britain as well as Marcus’s grandmother’s home country, Saint Kitts and Nevis. This was the first of many outstanding acts of kindness and gratitude by United’s number ten.
"This is not about politics; this is about humanity. Looking at ourselves in the mirror and feeling like we did everything we could to protect those who can’t, for whatever reason or circumstance, protect themselves."
The year 2020 brought upon many challenges for people around the world. People were strung up to their homes and many were left struggling for income, also struggling for life’s necessities. For school children around Britain, many would rely on the British policy which allows for free school meals. However, due to COVID-19 and the lockdown, Boris Johnson and the British government chose to end the policy. The cancellation of such a policy, coinciding with dire incomes, would hinder the chances of parents and or guardians putting food on the table for their children. One policy discharged would increase the chances of poverty in Britain, and while all footballers were lockdown in their homes, Marcus Rashford decided to do something about it.
Rashford decided to team up with food waste charity ‘Fair Share’ and personally deliver meals to those in the Manchester area. He decided to visit households that were no longer receiving free meals and inevitably reach up to 400,000 children in the region. At first, Marcus reached out to Fair Share and initially wanted to grant a donation that would go towards feeding children in need. However, Marcus decided to personally become involved after the initial consultation. An estimation of 400,000 children became three 3,000,000 children within a short time of 4 months, and after further growth of the campaign, Marcus decided to act and end food poverty.
"Whilst the campaign is currently distributing three million meals a week to those most vulnerable across the UK, I recognise it’s just not enough."
He wrote a note. It was a sentimental note which brought up the reasoning and context behind his movement. He argued that without any help from free school meals provided by the government, he would not be where he was right now. Furthermore, with the Euros fast approaching, many school children would not be able to attend any matches. Statistics were applied to back up his points as well as the stories from parents and children which Marcus had listened to. Only a day had passed and Boris Johnson backflipped on his decision and decided to keep the policy. A movement started by Rashford would affect 1.3 million children around the world and many families struggling in lockdown.
But Marcus wouldn’t stop there. On the 1st of September, he announced the commencement of the ‘Child Food Poverty Task Force’. This would work towards the sharing of real stories from people most affected by Child food insecurity in the UK.
Marcus’s generous acts of benevolence during such times of hardship would nominate him for one of Britain’s most prestigious awards, an MBE. As a member of the Order of the British Empire, Marcus would vow to continue his movement as he started a petition to end child food poverty for good. This petition received close to 300,000 signatures in a week and forced the Labour party to hold a debate on the matter of extending the free school meal policy.
He has shown to young people, in particular, there is a different way of dealing with life. He has shown great humility, he has shown the courage to do what he did. - Sir Alex Ferguson
Marcus Rashford was also recognised for his efforts through a mural created in Manchester. A powerful creation by Manchester artist ‘Akse’ who has painted many similar pieces around the Manchester region including those of Marvin Gaye and Captain Tom Moore.
This mural was recently vandalised in the aftermath of England’s Euro final defeat and Rashford’s unfortunate miss in the penalty shootout. Thousands of people gathered in protest against the defacement of the mural and thankfully the people of Manchester revived the mural which was previously defaced. In particular, it was the students at Manchester University who covered up the wrongdoings, a university where Rashford is an honorary professor.
"Take pride in knowing that your struggle will play the biggest role in your purpose”
After only five seasons at the top level and at the ripe age of 23, Marcus Rashford has set boundless possibilities for his future, both on and off the field. With an MBE and a doctorate for his work, Marcus Rashford is the most influential current English Footballer and has set the standard for others to follow.
Rashford will start his 2021/22 campaign on the sidelines after recently requiring surgery on a muscle tear sustained in 2020.