After leaving Maritzburg United at the end of last season, Travis Graham wanted to start searching for a new home, but he and his family were hit by tragedy. His father passed away and he has been away from football since parting ways with the Team of Choice, dealing with the loss of the most inspirational man in his life. The 30-year-old has found ways to pick himself up over the last few months and he is slowly working his way back to fitness, while he waits to find his next club. In this interview with Soccer Laduma's Tshepang Mailwane, the former Maritzburg captain talks about losing his father just after leaving the club and why it could be difficult to return to his former side Cape Town Spurs (previously Ajax Cape Town), even if he were to consider knocking on their door.
Tshepang Mailwane: Hi, Travis. A few weeks ago you were not ready to do an interview, but you've given us some time now. Thanks for that, we appreciate it. So, how have things been and what have you been up to since leaving Maritzburg United?
Travis Graham: Honestly, it's been a tough time on my side. Not a lot of people know this, but my dad recently passed away, so it's been a tough time from my side. I just thought that I needed to take time off mentally and just give myself time to go through the process. Like I say, it's been a tough time, but I've made peace with it and now I am actually getting myself in good shape. I am working on my fitness and I will see what happens.
TM: How were you able to deal with the loss of your father?
TG: It was the first time something like this happened to me, with a close relative. I did not know how to deal with it, but I made time to speak to some people, obviously with the family as well. We had sessions with the pastors to try to make sure that we are all okay. Honestly, it's not a nice feeling and it's not a nice process to go through. A lot of people have been through it before and have spoken to me about it, but it's only until you go through it yourself that you actually realise how deep this process is. It's not a nice place to be in.
TM: How much of a role did your dad play in your life and football career?
TG: To be honest, he was there from the beginning. He groomed me into becoming who I am today, not only as a footballer, but as a man. In terms of football, he has been to all my games. He recorded them and he made sure that he watched every minute of it since I was the age of four. His impact in my football career was immense and I am grateful for what he did for me because he sacrificed a lot for me to succeed in my career. He just did so much for me.
TM: When did it happen considering you left the Team of Choice a few months ago?
TG: Yes, everything happened so fast. When I left Maritzburg, I came back to Cape Town and spent some time with him and the family. Within a month after leaving Maritzburg, that's when all the problems started with my dad. So, everything happened so quickly. So, I would say it was about two months after leaving Maritzburg (when he died).
TM: How strong do you think this period of losing your father has made you?
TG: I think this is one of my lowest blows. I've been through a lot of blows, but I don't think I am over it yet. I am still dealing with everything, but it's definitely an eye-opener to say that life is more than just football. Life is more than just our careers. We have to appreciate our families and appreciate the people who are close to us because you never know when it's going to be the last day you see them. It's just an eye-opener to enjoy every moment of your life and have no regrets. Just be grateful for the people you have around you.
TM: At the time of your father's passing, were you already searching for a new club?
TG: In the planning of my time with my career, the plan was that if we had stayed up, I would have probably signed a new contract with them. Unfortunately, we got relegated, so I was looking for my next club. Unfortunately, things did not happen as quickly as I wanted, but looking back now, I think everything happened for a reason. I could be with my dad a little bit more and just spend that time with him. I think if I had signed with a new club at the time, I would not have been able to see and spend some time with him. I was looking for a club, but nothing came into plan at that time.
TM: Just explain the deal you had with Maritzburg…
TG: The deal was that if the club stayed up, I would sign a new contract. But if the club went down, which it did, they would unfortunately not offer me a new contract.
TM: Was it because they would not have been able to afford your salary while campaigning in the Motsepe Foundation Championship?
TG: I am not sure exactly financially what the reason was, but the chairman (Farook Kadodia) told me that they were not able to offer me a new contract. That's all that was said.
TM: So, what are your plans now in terms of finding a new club?
TG: I can only control what I can do. So, I need to get myself fit again and see who is willing to give me another chance. In the meantime, I just need to focus on what I can do to make myself ready again, mentally and physically.
TM: Would you consider knocking on the door of your former club Cape Town Spurs (previously Ajax Cape Town), since you are back in the Mother City?
TG: It would be difficult to consider, but I am not putting it past any thought. There obviously has to be thinking to it…
TM: Why would it be difficult to consider?
TG: I just think of the past years that I have been with them. Obviously, I don't think I got a good send-off as I thought it should have been. I spent most of my career with them and I am grateful for the opportunity they gave me, but the way I left the club and how things turned out to be was not as good as it should have been. It's a difficult process, but we will see if that opportunity does come into play.
TM: Does it matter to you which league you play in, DStv Premiership or the second tier?
TG: Obviously coming to the end of my career, it has to be the right club. I am not saying there are bad clubs or ones I won't go to. It has to be the right move for my family and for my playing style. You can't go to a club that does not suit you as a player, depending on the style and philosophy. It has to go hand-in-hand. It's not just about picking up a phone and asking to go to a certain club. It has to be more than just getting something. Hopefully there is a club that will meet eye-to- eye with me as a player and as a person. So, we will see how it goes.
TM: Do you have a timeline as to how long you want it to take to find a new club?
TG: As I said, I can only control what I can control, which is to get fit. But the ideal time would be January when the clubs are back in pre-season (Africa Cup of Nations break). I think that would be the perfect time.
TM: How have you managed financially during this period?
TG: It's difficult, but I have been saving money from the beginning of my career. Luckily, I had people who guided me to put my money away. I started saving at a very young age and luckily I do have (some money), but it won't last forever. There's going to be a time when I have to go back and start earning money again.
TM: Is there anything outside of football you are doing to sustain yourself?
TG: In terms of business, I have not started anything. Education wise, I have been studying. I have been planning for after football, but in the meantime, I am still focused on playing. I have been studying for about a year or two now. It has been a blessing so that I can focus a bit more on it right now.
TM: What are you studying?
TG: It's football business. It's not with an institution in South Africa. It's in Europe, so I do a lot of my studying online.
TM: How do you see it helping you in future?
TG: I think education is really important. Most of us footballers think we know so much, but I still feel like there is some sort of education that we do need to take the next step in our careers. There is always something to learn and I am someone who is open to learning. That's why I decided to go forward with my studies and hopefully it will give me some extra knowledge within the game and I can implement it in what I am going to do next.
TM: Thank you so much for your time, Travis. Sad to hear of your dad's passing and we hope you and your family keep strong. All the best in your search for a club, mate.
TG: Thank you.
TRAVIS GRAHAM FACT FILE
Date of birth: 8 May 1993
Place of birth: Cape Town, Western Cape
Nickname: Travito
Position: Midfielder
Jersey number: N/A
Club: Unattached
Previous clubs: Devonshire Rovers (amateur), Ajax Cape Town juniors, Ajax Cape Town, Cape Umoya United, Cape Town City, Maritzburg United
Honours: 2015 MTN8 winner (with Ajax)
