Gemma

How many times. We don’t want politics on #gogglebox

I’ve seen the clickbait nonsense flying around the last few days and usually I let it slide — but in the spirit of being more real online, I thought I’d set the record straight for the tenth time for all the “journos” out there. Growing up in Bedford, I was football obsessed, but we didn’t have a big local club. From as young as I can remember every summer we’d spend six weeks in Ireland with family who were mad about Manchester United, so naturally I became a fan too watching Ronaldo, Scholes and the rest from afar on the TV. My dad’s a “Gaelic man, not a soccer man” and because he worked weekends and money was tight, I only made it to Old Trafford once as a kid. At the same time, I started playing myself. I ended up having trials at multiple professional clubs before joining the  junior teams at Luton Town, which is probably where some of the confusion from these “reporters” comes from. For clarity: I never supported Luton. Then came Coventry City - In 2016, my manager (a lifelong Sky Blues fan since 1985) took me to my first game. My nan was from Coventry, and my grandad and great-grandad were massive Cov fans, so I was curious to experience the city and the club for myself…

From the moment I walked into the ground, something clicked. I met a group of lads who are now some of my closest mates. They welcomed me like family. It felt like a brotherhood — thousands of people pulling together for one cause: roaring Coventry home. And for the first time in football, I truly felt it. The more games I went to, the deeper that connection became. The heartbreak after defeats. The pride after victories. The pain of falling short. The joy of fighting back from League Two. I fell in love with the club, the people, and the community around it. Coventry embraced me from day one, and I’ve always wanted to give that love back however I can. That’s why I’ve supported charity events in the city quietly over the years. Why I contributed to the iconic George Curtis and John Sillett statue when Joe Elliott needed help getting it over the line. Why I offered to fly Lauti over from Argentina for the Luton playoff final after seeing how brilliantly he represented the club online. And why I played for free at the “We Are Live” concert on monday after promotion to the Premier League. How could I charge a club that’s given me so much joy? From the RICOH to the CBS, from Southend away, Blackburn away, to the "Home Games" at St Andrews.... Millwall away, QPR away, Luton away… from playoff heartbreak to League One glory during Covid to the infamous robbery at Wembley against United (where I was sat in the cov end) -  I’ve lived the highs and lows with everyone else. Watching games on planes, trains, in cars, on phones and iPads around the world. That’s when you realise it’s more than football. It’s about belonging. Camaraderie. Community. So what genuinely hurts isn’t the idea that I support both United and Coventry - I’ve always been open about that. It’s the suggestion that I’m somehow “using” Coventry. Trust me, i say this without any arrogance intended but I was selling out 20,000 capacity arenas around the world whilst sat in attendances half that size watching coventry. I only say that to diminish any clout claims  which I'm not here for, and Never have been. I’m there because I love the club, the people, and being part of the Sky Blue Army. To me, supporting two clubs has never been that deep, but for the record I'm a cov fan who keeps an eye on United's scores. Loads of people have an English team and a Scottish team and nobody bats an eyelid. I’ve grown up feeling connected to both England and Ireland because of my parents — and anyone who’s heard my dad speak knows he’s the most Irish man alive. That probably explains why I’ve played for both England and Rest of the World at Soccer Aid too… England this year by the way 😉 If you’re still reading this, just know I’ll keep going to as many Cov games as my schedule allows, and I’ll love every fucking minute of it. Because I love my mates up there, I love what the club stands for, the city and its community, and I fucking love Coventry City Football Club. Big up the gaffer and my pal Frank. I’ll sign off with the text he sent me the day he joined Cov - “UP THE FUCKIN COV!!!!! 🩵🩵” See you in the Prem. #PUSB Tom x

I don’t think we could have wished for this any better: Blackburn away - promotion Pompey home - Champions Wrexham home - trophy lift Watford away - party away day We Are Back Live - parade/festival Incredible, memorable period. I need to recover now 😂😂 #PUSB

@Scousegrrl 👏

I'm catching up on the Great British Menu, and the fact Nikita was robbed of the main course by a sausage with balls is the perfect metaphor for this show. Female chefs regularly losing out because penises get priority. #GreatBritishMenu

That is not a banquet main course. Nikita was robbed! If the guest judge didn’t like it then you’re going to get guests not liking it either I’m afraid. Love Cal, glad he came back but don’t get how it fits the menu. #GreatBritishMenu

@MonsterMcD @Coventry_City Cov community has your back, you’re never alone 🩵

No clout intended but I wanted to die 2 years ago, so glad I didn’t!! There’s so much to live for and people genuinely care 🩵 @Coventry_City have obviously helped massively 🩵 always here for a chat, even though I do chat crap I’m a person to rant at 🤣🤣🤣

CHAMPIONS.

We didn’t buy our success, if you’re from Cov or play for Cov one thing remains the same, we work hard 👊🩵 #PUSB🩵

WHEN we win this and become champions Wrexham will have to give us a guard of honour at our last home game against them, there’s something very sweet about that given I hate those Disney FC pricks who bought their success and who lost us our winning run😂

Does anyone else have a broken boyfriend this morning? He’s so overwhelmed and can’t stop crying cos it wasn’t actually a dream 🩵 #pusb

WE ARE BACK.

FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 2001 COVENTRY CITY ARE BACK IN THE PREMIER LEAGUE 📈

£200 on a taxi and you want that to buy 4th place? I’d be wanting first for that price. #raceacrosstheworld #RATW

If I’d learnt 10% Italian to use in nice restaurants I’d be fuming if a lad from Manchester was my server and didn’t even know what a tiramisu was 😂 #RaceAcrossTheWorld

I was ready to hate #handcuffed but I’m 10 minutes in and hooked at how unhinged it is and how there’s just no filter on anyone and the judgements people make is proving to be chaotic viewing!

Are any of them gonna win it 😂#TheTraitors

He’s just a clueless coaster Jade 😂 #TheTraitors

Faraaz been silent for 3 weeks and now this 🫨 #TheTraitors

Oh James this will not bode well for you now #TheTraitors