Chris Gaul, Pioneer Curate at St Peter’s Brockley and Millwall FC Chaplain writes:
Serving as the chaplain for Millwall Football Club is a unique and extremely rewarding role. It’s a ministry that blends faith, football, and pastoral care in a setting where pressure and public scrutiny are constant companions. Over the past 2 years, I’ve discovered surprising parallels between the lives of footballers and those of priests. Despite our vastly different callings, we share some strikingly similar experiences that reveal the human challenges behind the roles.
One of the most poignant similarities is the reality of working over Christmas. For priests, the festive season is often the busiest time of the year, with additional services, sermons, and pastoral care demands. For footballers, Christmas is equally intense. While others enjoy family gatherings and festive feasts, players face a gruelling schedule of matches and training sessions. Boxing Day fixtures are a long-standing tradition in English football, and the need to prepare physically and mentally often means time with loved ones is sacrificed.
Another shared experience is the public nature of our roles. Priests and footballers alike are recognized in the communities we serve. While the scale of visibility differs – footballers are household names, while chaplains operate in a more localized context – the pressures of being constantly “on display” can be challenging. People often forget that beneath a footballers public persona lies a human being with their own vulnerabilities, emotions, and struggles. Footballers are seen as invincible athletes, and clergy as paragons of virtue, yet both groups carry the weight of expectations that can sometimes feel overwhelming.
As a chaplain, one of my key responsibilities is to remind the players, staff, and even myself that we are all human beings, created in the image of God, and worthy of grace and understanding. At Millwall, this often takes the form of ‘church’ on a Thursday at the training ground. With the players’ intense schedules – matches on Saturdays and training on Sundays – we’ve adapted to bring spiritual support into their week.
Our Thursday gatherings are a precious time. We come together for prayer, scripture, and discipleship in a space that’s far removed from the noise and intensity of match days. It’s a time to reflect, recharge, and connect with God. We dive into scripture not as a theoretical exercise but as a source of wisdom for the unique challenges footballers face: dealing with pressure, managing relationships, what it looks like to be a Christian in sport, and finding purpose beyond the game.
These sessions are informal and inclusive, tailored to meet the needs of those who attend. Some players come with deep faith, while others are simply curious or seeking support. Regardless of where they are on their spiritual journey, the message is always the same: God sees them, knows them, and loves them – not for what they achieve on the pitch, but for who they are.
Chaplaincy support is for those of faith, and those with none. There are countless times I have been able to offer pastoral support, and sometimes prayer, for those who do not consider themselves as a Christian, but are desperate need of help.
Being a chaplain for Millwall is a privilege. It’s a role that reminds me daily of the humanity behind the public roles we play – whether on the pitch, in the pulpit, or elsewhere. Football and faith may seem worlds apart, but both provide a powerful platform for connection, community, and compassion.
