Kyreece Lisbie: Faith and Football

Kyreece Lisbie has been a regular for Brentford B this season after his return from injury and the winger has spoken many times about the tough mental battle he faced during his recovery.

The one thing that has kept him honest and grounded throughout his football journey is his faith, with his beliefs as a Christian ensuring that he never gives up, even when the odds seem stacked against him.

Lisbie has overcome serious injuries to be a pivotal part of Neil MacFarlane’s side. The explosive, pacy winger has also regularly got himself on the scoresheet, most recently in the league against Swansea away from home.

Son of former Charlton Athletic, Leyton Orient and Ipswich Town striker Kevin Lisbie, Kyreece has learnt how to overcome trials and setbacks with his faith remaining at the core.

Kyreece’s mum instilled core Christian values in both him and his twin brother Kyrell, who plays for National League side Braintree Town, and both have grown up learning how to use what they have been raised with to their benefit.

"We have a big family and we have all been raised as Christians," said the 21-year-old.

"Our mum has been very strong on that ever since we were young, taking us to church and teaching us what it means to be a Christian, and that was a great starting point because I feel like it has helped us individually and it made us closer as a family.

"I feel like, at times, football can be a very dark place as it is a mentally draining sport. There are so many highs but equally the lows can be very painful as well, so it has been very important for me to know that I have a faith that comforts me in difficult times."

Lisbie has faced many rejections in his young career and he has been very open about this, creating content on the topic for his 550,000+ audience on TikTok.

He was released from Leyton Orient whilst in secondary school and multiple unsuccessful trials followed.

After playing in non-league with Cray Valley, he was then offered a scholarship contract at Watford but, following a two-year stint there, he was let go again.

Lisbie impressed at a Brentford showcase game and got the deal he dreamt of in July 2022, going on to help the B team win the Premier League Cup in his first season with the Bees.

"The rejections are tough, the voices in your head will always tell you that you are not good enough to succeed and that you are not able to get to where you want to go," he continued.

"Reading the bible will teach you to block out the outside noise and focus on the gift that I have been given and by working hard to nurture that gift, I can achieve what I want.

"When you believe that God has a plan for you and that everything will work out for you as long as you show character and strength, then your dreams can come true.

"When you go through all those trials and tribulations, I get that extra push because of the things that I have learnt believing in God and that has helped me become the man I am today."

Lisbie continues: "Whatever situation you are going through, the bible has a verse of comfort, an answer to that situation, and that fills me with confidence about my faith and why I hold it in high regard and basically rely on it because it has helped me through the darkest of times.

"I try to pray and read my bible consistently and I think as a Christian in a football environment, I am not impressing my faith onto anyone but if anyone is interested, I always try to share my experiences.

"I think as a Christian, I want people to see in my actions the kind of person that I want to be and through that there can be an understanding of where my character stems from."

The winger shares that his favourite verse is Romans 8:28, which says, “All things work together for good for those who love the Lord.”

"Romans 8:28 is a reflection of myself and my career," he explains. "I believe that my faith has given me motivation and strength during times when I might have otherwise given up.

"That’s not to say good things don’t happen to those who aren’t Christian but, for me, my faith has been a source of hope and resilience that has helped me navigate the challenges I’ve faced."

Lisbie’s journey in football is deeply intertwined with his faith, which has been a guiding force throughout his career. His unwavering belief has provided him with the strength to overcome challenges and the motivation to strive for greatness, both on and off the pitch.

As he continues to grow in his footballing journey, Lisbie is committed to sharing his experiences and inspiring others, hoping to one day achieve his dream of becoming a top professional while staying true to the values that have helped him be the player and man that he is today.