Travis Beckford experienced early fame after winning Wayne Rooney`s Street Striker competition.
However, his promising football career took a dark turn when he received a football ban, leading to a prison sentence three years later.
Travis Beckford, brother to former footballer Jermaine Beckford and grime artist Marci Phonix, impressed Wayne Rooney with his football skills in Stockport.
In 2008, at the age of 16, he was named the winner of the inaugural season of the TV show by the Manchester United star, an emotional moment that brought him to tears.
This victory was expected to be the launchpad for a successful football career, bringing with it a cash prize, a trip to Brazil, and attention from professional football clubs.
Beckford joined Leeds United`s academy but faced challenges with the physical demands of the game and suffered an injury that left him unable to walk for a month.
This injury led him back to West London, the place his parents had moved him away from after a stabbing incident at age 14, and where his sister Sabrina was battling Crohn’s disease.
A turning point came during a game for his local team, Hanwell Town. An altercation involving an opponent resulted in a mass brawl.
Beckford was singled out and received a one-year ban from football.
Without football as his focus, the young Beckford became involved in street activities, including drug dealing, which ultimately led to serious consequences.
Reflecting on the ban, Beckford, now 32, expressed his frustration to the Daily Mail, questioning why he was punished so severely when many others were involved. This ban led him to feel disillusioned with football.
Growing up in a challenging environment marked by violence, drugs, and gang issues, Beckford recalled his sister Sabrina`s advice to stay focused and avoid street life to prevent harm or imprisonment. However, he admitted to not heeding her warnings.
He became increasingly involved in the drug scene, which escalated to planning robberies targeting drug dealers, believing they were untouchable by the police.
One evening, a robbery went wrong, resulting in violence and injuries. Beckford and his accomplice were arrested shortly after in a major police operation.
Denied bail, Beckford was initially sentenced to ten years, which was reduced to six years and eight months on appeal. He ended up serving two and a half years in prison.
Starting his sentence at Feltham Young Offenders Institution and later moved to Isis prison, known for its violence, Beckford decided to use this time for self-reflection and change.
He contemplated his future and the person he wanted to become after his release, moving beyond his identity as a street footballer and drug dealer. He focused on personal growth during his incarceration.
Motivated by his dying sister and feeling remorse for his actions, Beckford aimed to turn his life around for his family and supporters.
A crucial moment came with a prison visit from Jason Mitchell and Chris Chalaye, who offered music production and radio broadcasting courses.
Mitchell introduced Beckford to BBC Radio 1 DJ Target, which led to an apprenticeship at the BBC after his release.
This opportunity opened doors to the music industry, leading to collaborations with major labels and companies like Sony, Epic Records, Polydor, Modest Management, and Nike.
Currently, Beckford is dedicated to his own ventures, including a platform to assist young individuals in entering the music industry and a marketing company that has worked with Borussia Dortmund and Anthony Joshua.
Despite facing initial skepticism from some colleagues due to his past, Beckford has successfully shifted perceptions and is now seen as someone whose voice and experience are valuable.
