Jeremy Corbyn & Son: Football's Impact on Life
Discover how football shapes the lives of Jeremy Corbyn and his son Ben, from their Arsenal fandom to coaching at the London Football School. Explore the intersection of sport and socialist ideals in their journey through the beautiful game.
2/1/20252 min read
⚽ Jeremy & Ben Corbyn: Arsenal, Coaching, and Football’s Capitalist Struggles
Football is more than just a sport for Jeremy Corbyn and his son, Ben—it’s a way of life. From supporting Wolves as a child to becoming an Arsenal devotee, the former Labour leader has seen the game evolve, often in ways that challenge his socialist ideals. Meanwhile, Ben Corbyn has dedicated his career to coaching, shaping the future of young footballers through the London Football School (LFS).
🏟️ The Corbyns and Arsenal: A Family Affair
Jeremy Corbyn wasn’t always a die-hard Arsenal fan. His love for the club grew when his sons became obsessed with the team in the early 90s.
🔹 Ben’s First Arsenal Game: 1993 vs. Sheffield Wednesday – Ian Wright scored the winner.
🔹 Junior Gunners: Corbyn signed up Ben and his brother, sparking their lifelong connection to the club.
🔹 A Passion Passed Down: Ben’s entire childhood revolved around Arsenal, shaping his future in football.
👨🏫 Ben Corbyn’s Mission: Making Football Accessible
Ben Corbyn is not just a football coach—he’s a scout for Arsenal’s academy and the founder of the London Football School, which trains over 1,000 young players across 42 teams.
💡 Key Facts About LFS:
✔️ Coaches kids aged 3 to 18
✔️ Employs 60 professional coaches
✔️ Provides 100 bursaries to underprivileged players
✔️ Focuses on inclusivity, teamwork, and skill development
But despite its success, Ben warns that grassroots football is becoming too expensive, pricing out working-class kids.
🗣️ “We need the FA or the government to step in. If we’re not careful, grassroots football will become a middle-class sport.”
🏆 Football vs. Capitalism: Jeremy Corbyn’s Frustrations
While Jeremy Corbyn loves football, he hates its commercialization.
🚨 His Biggest Concerns:
❌ Clubs spending their way to trophies rather than focusing on development
❌ Saudi Arabia’s ownership of Newcastle United & the 2034 World Cup deal
❌ Arsenal’s Kroenke family ownership and corporate influence
❌ Football clubs ignoring social justice issues
📢 “Football is powerful. It has been used by regimes from Franco to Mussolini. Yet, it shies away from its role in social justice.”
📢 Corporate Boxes? Not for Corbyn!
Keir Starmer, the current Labour leader, watches Arsenal games from a corporate box at the Emirates, citing security concerns. Corbyn strongly disagrees:
🔥 “I don’t like corporate boxes in football or anywhere else. Sometimes you have to remind security—you’re a human being, too.”
🚲 From Football to Politics: Corbyn’s Commitment to Community
Even at 75, Jeremy Corbyn remains an activist. After a day with Ben at the football fields, he cycled to Finsbury Park mosque to ensure peace after concerns about far-right protests.
🔴 “Football should unite communities, not divide them.”
⚽ Final Thoughts: A Love for Football That Transcends Politics
For the Corbyns, football is about more than just winning trophies. It’s about community, opportunity, and the joy of the game. While Jeremy battles football’s corporate greed, Ben ensures young players from all backgrounds get a fair shot at the sport they love.
💬 What do you think? Should football do more to protect grassroots accessibility? Let us know in the comments! ⬇️