Charlie Daniels says signing up to Manchester United star Juan Mata's Common Goal and giving 1% of his wages to charity was a 'no-brainer' as 'fatherhood changes everything'

  • Charlie Daniels has signed up to Juan Mata's charity campaign Common Goal
  • The Manchester United ace's initiative sees stars donate one per cent of wages
  • Money is then sent to the world's poorest regions to help children through sport
  • Bournemouth defender Daniels is one of the first British players to get involved
  • Twenty-three-year-old Swansea City defender Alfie Mawson has signed up too
  • Left back Daniels, 31, said: 'Once I read through what they do, it was a no-brainer'

Bournemouth defender Charlie Daniels has credited the 'unconditional love' of fatherhood as the factor that made him become one the first English players to sign up to Juan Mata's Common Goal initiative.

Daniels, along with Swansea's Alfie Mawson, are the first British players to pledge one per cent of their salary to charitable causes. The global campaign, spearheaded by Manchester United's Mata and supported by German and Italian superstars Mats Hummels and Giorgio Chiellini, will target the world's poorest regions and create new opportunities for young children through sport.

'Once I read through what they do, it was a no-brainer,' Daniels said. 'My agent let me know about it and I signed up to it without any hesitation. Doing something so little can have a big impact. Juan has already sent me a message to say thanks for signing up, welcoming me aboard and hopefully we can build this up.'

Charlie Daniels (pictured) has signed up to Juan Mata's charity campaign Common Goal

Daniels said he didn't hesitate when he found about about the scheme
He feels that becoming a father has changed his way of thinking

Bournemouth left back Daniels, 31, said: 'Once I read through what they do, it was a no-brainer'

Mata's initiative gets footballers to donate one per cent of their wages to charitable causes

Mata's initiative gets footballers to donate one per cent of their wages to charitable causes

Daniels was released by Tottenham as a teenager and was still playing with Leyton Orient at the age of 25. He has been with Bournemouth during their rise up three division and has earned his place in the Premier League the hard way.


'I have seen all different sides of football. When we was down at the bottom it was a different culture. I like to think I have not forgotten where I have come from.

'I was let go by Tottenham and that was the most challenging moment. I was going into professional football and not knowing where my career would head. You lose your comforts. You are thrust into first-team football, susceptible to ridicule and fans shouting at you. It does man you up.

'My parents were very good to me and taught me well. They always stood by me and kept me grounded. I hope they are proud of this.'

Daniels, now 31, believes becoming a father to two-year-old Teddy and recently newborn Blakely has provided renewed responsibility.

Family man Daniels tweeted this picture at the end of the 2015-16 season and thanked fans for their support

Family man Daniels tweeted this picture at the end of the 2015-16 season and thanked fans for their support

Swansea City's 23-year-old centre back Alfie Mawson has also signed up to Common Goal

Swansea City's 23-year-old centre back Alfie Mawson has also signed up to Common Goal

Bayern Munich and Germany defender Mats Hummels, 28, has pledged his support as well

Bayern Munich and Germany defender Mats Hummels, 28, has pledged his support as well

Daniels talks about being affected by videos during Children In Need

Daniels talks about being affected by videos during Children In Need

'Fatherhood changes everyone. I don't think anyone is ready to become a father or a mother. People give you all the advice under the sun but when it comes, it is still a reality shock.

'The love you have for your kids is unconditional and nobody can really teach you that.

'You see children in a different light. The stuff you see on TV, those videos during Children In Need, that does really get to me.

'It makes you appreciate your life and how you want to live it. My lifestyle has changed, in terms of wanting to be with my family, spending time with them, having fun times and watching my kids grow up.

'Every dad wants to give the best to their children and for them to have a better upbringing than yours. I am no different to that. I see this initiative as a chance to improve lives for children in a less fortunate position.'

Daniels says manager Eddie Howe and his team-mates have reacted positively. 'The manager actually came up to me and we had a chat about it. A load of team-mates came up to me and we have talked about it and hopefully more come on board.'

'I see this  as a chance to improve lives for children in a less fortunate position,' said Daniels

'I see this as a chance to improve lives for children in a less fortunate position,' said Daniels

Juventus and Italy ace Giorgio Chiellini is another high-profile star to do his bit for the charity

Juventus and Italy ace Giorgio Chiellini is another high-profile star to do his bit for the charity

Chiellini wrote to the Common Goal communications team to show his desire to get on board

Chiellini wrote to the Common Goal communications team to show his desire to get on board

Spanish playmaker Mata, who gifted Huddersfield a goal as United lost at the weekend, was out and about in Hale on Monday

Spanish playmaker Mata, who gifted Huddersfield a goal as United lost at the weekend, was out and about in Hale on Monday