Chris Woakes: Lessons Learned
When Chris Woakes joined Reports from Arbroath for a chat, it wasn’t to go through a highlight reel of his wickets and match-winning moments. Instead, it was for a heartfelt conversation about his lifelong love for Aston Villa, his roots in Birmingham, and the journey from being a promising young footballer to becoming one of England’s most respected cricketers.
Beneath the surface of football banter and sporting anecdotes, the episode offered a trove of life lessons, ones that resonate far beyond the terraces of Villa Park.
Here’s what we learned from Chris Woakes about passion, decision-making, humility, and holding on to what truly matters.
1. Let Passion Be Your Guide
It all started when Chris was a young boy glued to a VHS recording of Aston Villa’s 1994 League Cup win. Those moments, rewound and replayed countless times in the family living room, wasn’t just the birth of fandom, it was the start of something deeper.
🗣 “I just remember watching them, falling in love… naturally, as a young lad, whenever you watch a team, you want them to win, don’t you?”
It’s easy to overlook how our childhood passions shape our adult lives. For Chris, Aston Villa has become much more than a football club, it’s been an emotional anchor, and a symbol of continuity amidst the whirlwind of a globe-trotting sports career. Even when traveling with England in different time zones, Chris still finds ways to catch Villa games, often watching at ungodly hours just to stay connected to home.
2. Have The Courage to Choose
Everyone knows Chris Woakes the cricketer, but few people know he was once a promising footballer in the Walsall youth system. At the age of 14, he split time between both sports, balancing school, matches, and the expectations of young talent. But eventually, a decision had to be made.
🗣 “I gave it a knock on the head at 14 to concentrate on cricket. I was just getting belted in the middle of the park and stopped enjoying it as much.”
The reality is, even for multi-talented individuals, there’s a point where choosing one path means closing the door on another. It takes courage to let go, not because you’re giving up, but because you’re committing fully to a direction that feels more aligned with who you are. Sometimes, the path we don’t take is just as important as the one we do.
3. Perspective is the Most Underrated Skill in Sport (and Life)
Even elite athletes are fans at heart. Chris Woakes admits he can slip into the “shout-at-the-TV” mode while watching Villa, questioning decisions, urging players on, and riding the emotional rollercoaster of fandom. But being on the other side of that fence as a professional gives him unique insight.
🗣 “You do make mistakes… and it’s not always perfect, is it?”
In the age of instant judgment and armchair punditry, this level of perspective is a breath of fresh air. Knowing firsthand the effort and sacrifice behind top-level performance, Chris reminds us that athletes are human. They train relentlessly, perform under pressure, and still make mistakes.
Whether you’re watching a football match, managing a team at work, or supporting a loved one, remembering the human behind the performance can change everything.
4. Home Is a Feeling, Not Just a Place
For someone who has spends much of his adult life living out of hotel rooms and hopping across continents, “home” might seem like a fleeting concept. But for Chris, Birmingham is his city, Brummies are his people, and Aston Villa is his club.
🗣 “It does connect you to home. It connects you to friends, family… most of the people I went to school with are Villa or West Brom fans.”
That connection goes beyond nostalgia. It’s about identity, community, and a sense of belonging. In times of success or struggle, whether you’re in Mumbai, Melbourne or Mere Green, your links to home serves as a compass. A reminder of where you come from and who you are. Staying connected to your community and heritage can provide strength, perspective, and a sense of self that no amount of success or distance can erode.
5. Loyalty Is a Virtue—Even When It’s Hard
Football fans know the meaning of suffering. From relegation to near-misses, heartbreak is just part of the package when you’re a supporter. But for Chris, following Villa through the Championship years wasn’t a test, it was a badge of honour.
🗣 “You stick with them through thick and thin. I wouldn’t have changed it for anything.”
Now, as Villa enjoys a renaissance; Champions League nights, cup runs, and marquee signings, it feels sweeter because of what came before. The loyalty, the waiting, the near-misses, they all add weight to the triumphs. True commitment isn’t measured in good times; it’s forged in adversity. Whether it’s a relationship, a job, or a football club, sticking around when things are tough is what makes the highs worth celebrating.
6. Celebrate the Local Heroes
When Chris spoke about former Aston Villa manager Dean Smith, a fellow Birmingham native who guided Villa back to the Premier League, it wasn’t just admiration; it was pride. There’s something special about seeing someone from your patch do something extraordinary.
🗣 “To see a local lad take over his boyhood club… that’ll be with him forever. It’ll be with the club forever.”
In a world often obsessed with global stars and big names, celebrating local heroes reminds us of the power of representation. It’s about inspiring the next generation, showing that greatness can come from just around the corner.
Never underestimate the impact of local leadership. Greatness isn’t reserved for the chosen few, it can come from your street, your school, your city.
Final Whistle
Chris Woakes’s story is one of balance. Between cricket and football, between professionalism and passion, between fame and humility. His reflections serve as a gentle nudge to stay grounded, stay loyal, and never lose touch with what matters most.
Whether you’re a sports fan, an aspiring athlete, or simply navigating your own life journey, there’s wisdom in the way Woakes carries his passion: quietly, proudly, and with an enduring connection to home.
So next time you’re questioning your path, wondering if you should follow your gut, or struggling to juggle success with authenticity, think of Chris Woakes, in a hotel room halfway across the world, setting his alarm to watch Villa, just because it feels like home.
