Gavin is a former English Premier League soccer player, captaining Chelsea, Newcastle Utd and Queens Park Rangers over an 18-year career (1984 – 2002). He scored over 130 goals in over 600 professional games. In 1993 he captained Newcastle Utd to promotion to the Premier League. In 1994 he played in the FA Cup Final against Manchester Utd and in 1995 he led Chelsea to the European Cup Winners Cup Semi final for the first time in their history.

After retiring in 2002, Gavin embarked upon a broadcasting career as a BBC commentator, appearing regularly on TV and radio in the UK and covering two European Championships and one FIFA World Cup in Germany in 2006.

A Christian since 18 years old, Gavin regularly spoke publicly and gave his testimony as a Christian athlete. But to the amazement of the British media, he gave up the BBC career in 2008 in order to prepare for church ministry. In the same year, with his wife, Amanda, and two children, Jake and Ava, he moved to Calgary, Canada where he now works as a pastor at Calvary Grace Church.

In a 2017 article for The Independent he said, “I loved soccer. But there is something more valuable in my life. A greater glory, like Eric Liddell would say.”

He holds an MACS and speaks and teaches locally and globally, particularly on the issues of biblical manhood, biblical sexuality, marriage and the family, youth and culture, and faith and sport. Having had three different careers, he also speaks on leadership and how to begin a new career and succeed again.

Gavin is a published author. He co-wrote, Never Walk Alone (Hodder and Stoughton, 1994), and The Grand Design (Christian Focus, 2016). He is currently working on three other book projects, including his biography, a book about soccer, fathers and sons and a set of Bible devotions for young men.

Soccer, Athlete, Christian Athletes, Youth, Youth Development, Christian, Christian Motivational, Christian Values, Christian speakers, Culture Leadership,