Footballer Thomas Hal Robson-Kanu on what he learnt from buying swanky first home at 20

Footballer Thomas Hal Robson-Kanu on what he learnt from buying swanky first home at 20

Metro.co.uk - Lifestyle·2021-09-08 07:00

Thomas’ first home was ultra-modern, but it taught him a thing or two about practicality (Picture: Metro.co.uk/ Getty/ Andy Hooper)

Thomas Hal Robson-Kanu started his football career as a schoolboy at Arsenal before moving to Reading – so it’s no surprise he was on the property ladder early.

The forward, who played both for West Bromwich Albion and as an international for Wales, bought his first home at just 20 when playing for Reading, and it was probably a lot more grown up than your typical young man’s apartment, with a cinema room and even a fancy roller shutter for the garage.

Thomas also founded The Turmeric Co., which produces a unique range of turmeric shots developed over a decade.

Where did you buy your first home?

My first home purchase was in Ascot, Berkshire. I would have just turned 20 and was playing pro for Reading.

I had just signed my second pro contact and broken into the first team. It was an important step to get onto the property ladder.

What was the place like?

It was a new-build in a new complex. It was a really nice place. I bought it off-plan and it was still in development.

I think it was nice to have an opportunity to move into something new. I was living alone and being a first home, it was probably one of the more ‘straight forward’ and practical homes I have lived in – it always remains really special to me and close to my heart.

What was the style of the property?

It was sort of off white with traditional coving and high skirting boards. I’ve always been a big fan of high skirting boards.

Did it feel like a big step to live alone at such a young age?

At that point in time I had lived away from home for five years. It helps you grow up in a way of responsibility. I then rented for a period of time. Because I was relying on renting, the sooner you take the leap to buying the better.

So a lot of my friends from school were living uni lifestyles [and I had bought] so it was a very different path. I had given five years of waking up at 6am and doing tea runs and arriving at training grounds when it was dark.

There was a lot of sacrifice on the other side, too.

So it wasn’t a typically student-style pad befitting a young guy?

With it being my first place, I was always keen to ensure it was as neat and tidy as possible – something that has always stuck with me, but now with kids it’s a bit harder.

But I was proud to be a homeowner so wanted to ensure that it was clean. I tried to avoid red wine near any carpets where possible, too.

Was it nice to have your own space after travelling a lot?

The great thing about football is you are part of a team so you don’t have to spend time alone.

You spend time at the training ground and with the team away from the training ground, plus you do a lot of travelling as well, sometimes during the week, so having a bit of space was a positive.

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What did you do with the place?

I did like a TV room, or a cinema room I guess you could call it. I had a roller shutter for the garage, all these little things.

It was a very modern place so at the time I had a dark granite kitchen but then you only realise after a while it’s not great for cleaning – dark shows a lot of marks. I like things clean and tidy – I never got a dark kitchen again.

I had a gym in the garage, which was a bit different. I kept it pretty standard, I like simple things. I got my stuff from a few home stores in Berkshire and Surrey.

Did you have any DIY disasters?

In the two years I was there, I didn’t do too much to it, aside from sorting the drains.

However, a few little improvements included installing the new garage door, just to replace the old, knackered one. I touched up a few bits of paint here, and really enjoyed it.

Family and friends helped, and I am close with my dad who has supported my football career as well as developing The Turmeric Co. with me, so he was brilliant in offering help where he could.

What did you learn from the whole buying experience?

It was a brand new experience in working with solicitors and understanding stamp duty, all the utility bills – it was a really formative experience. My advice is enjoy the process. Some things you don’t need when you move in but then you change your mind – just let it happen naturally.

Check out Thomas’ range of tumeric shots at theturmeric.co

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