Help Eliot return to the U.S. to raise his child

Hi everyone,

Many of you know me as a referee on the football fields of both London and New York. Whether we’ve shared a game in a Sunday league or midweek 5-a-side, battled through extra time in the rain, or had a good-natured debate over a close call, I’ve always loved being part of these communities.

Now, I’m reaching out for your support as I strive to return to the USA to be with my daughter and play an active role in her life. Being away from her for over a year has been traumatic, and I am determined to do everything I can to be there for her as she grows up.

Life has thrown unexpected challenges my way. I moved to NYC in 2017 on a spousal VISA with my wife and child. After just 6 months, my marriage broke down unexpectedly, forcing me to pursue alternative VISA and Green Card options, a process that is both expensive and lengthy. When my spousal VISA expired in 2023, I returned to London pending the securing of my new legal status. During my time back in London I continued my work as a referee and created the WhistleStopFooty project which aims to grow and strengthen the connections between referees and the rest of the football community.

Making this journey back to NYC has been more complicated than I ever anticipated, from the loss of full-time employment, travel, relocation, and storage expenses to navigating the VISA process and securing alternative work in NYC. The financial hurdles are significant, but I am hopeful that with the help of friends, family, and the football community, I can overcome them and give my daughter the love, presence, and support she deserves.

Now, thanks to the support and generosity of my community, my new VISA is almost secured and the time to return to NYC to be with my daughter is getting closer

Your generosity will go toward:

• Travel Costs – Flights, transportation, and logistics for my return.

• Rent & Storage Costs – Reestablishing a safe and stable home back in NYC to reunite with my daughter.

If we’ve ever shared a game, a laugh, or even a questionable offside call, I’d be grateful for any support you can give. Every donation, big or small, brings me one step closer to being with my daughter again. If you can’t donate, sharing this campaign with others would mean the world to me.

And to my fellow Arsenal supporters at O’Hanlon’s—some of the best moments I had in NYC were watching the Gunners with you. I know we’ve all been through some highs and lows together, and I’d truly appreciate any help from the Arsenal NYC family as I work toward this next chapter.

Thank you for your kindness, generosity, and for being part of my journey—both on and off the pitch.

Thank you so much!

Eliot