Meet Glen Chisholm
(Scroll down for his audio story)
Content warning - Brief mention of experiences of racism.
“They weren’t just football coaches. They were strong role models and mentors, shaping us ready for the future.”
Born and raised in Ipswich, the speaker describes how discovering American football in the 1980s led him to join the Ipswich Cardinals, a team closely connected to US Air Force bases at the Bentwaters and Woodbridge airbases. Black US servicemen served as coaches and mentors, most notably JJ Johnson, a retired Master Sergeant whose advice on discipline, resilience and handling racism had a lasting impact on him.
Through football, friendships and time spent on base, he was immersed in American culture - from sport and hip hop to family traditions like Halloween and Thanksgiving. He reflects on how African American servicemen were woven into everyday life in Ipswich, acting not just as coaches but as role models who shaped young people and fostered meaningful cultural exchange.
Glen's story
Click here for the transcript.
