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Bournemouth Star Writes Joshua 1:9 On His Bandage And Premier League Club Shares The Bible Verse With Millions

AFC Bournemouth tells millions of fans why young Scottish winger Ben Gannon Doak wrote Joshua 1:9 on his bandage.

Michael Ringer

Michael Ringer

— 2 min read
Ben Gannon Doak of AFC Bournemouth speaks about his Christian faith and Joshua 1:9 Bible verse

Why Bournemouth Star Ben Gannon Doak Wrote Joshua 1:9 On His Bandage Before Playing Again

AFC Bournemouth has publicly shared the meaning behind a Bible verse that Scottish winger Ben Gannon Doak wrote on the athletic tape around his forearm during a recent development squad fixture. The verse, Joshua 1:9, was visible as the 20 year old returned to action for the first time following hamstring surgery.

The Premier League club posted the explanation to its combined 2.5 million Instagram and Facebook followers, telling fans the passage commands Joshua to be strong and courageous because the Lord is with him wherever he goes.

Gannon Doak sustained a serious hamstring injury in the 21st minute of Scotland's 4 to 2 World Cup qualifying victory over Denmark at Hampden Park in November 2025. He had just assisted Scott McTominay's spectacular overhead kick opener when he was carried off on a stretcher in tears. The injury required surgery and has already cost him several months of his debut Bournemouth season.

Speaking on BBC Scotland football programme A View from the Terrace, the young forward opened up about how his Christian faith has carried him through three operations in as many years.

"I think footballers who are Christians are gaining confidence in being able to share their faith. We've been blessed with a platform to do the right things, to be good role models." Ben Gannon Doak told BBC Scotland.

Gannon Doak joined Bournemouth from Liverpool in August 2025 in a deal worth up to 25 million pounds. Injuries have limited him to just five appearances and 98 minutes of action across all competitions before the Scotland setback sidelined him again.

Scottish Winger's Bold Christian Witness In The Premier League Spotlight

Ben Gannon Doak in tears after sustaining a hamstring injury while playing for Scotland against Denmark in a World Cup qualifier

The public embrace of Scripture by a top flight footballer comes as part of a wider wave of openly Christian players in English football. Figures such as Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford and Kaoru Mitoma have all spoken about their faith in recent seasons.

Bournemouth's willingness to amplify the meaning of the Bible verse to millions of fans marks a notable moment for a Premier League club. Rather than treating the reference as a private matter, the club chose to explain the Scripture directly to its worldwide audience.

The Crusader's Opinion

This is what courage looks like. A 20 year old kid, broken body and shattered World Cup dream, picks up a marker and writes the Word of God on his own bandage. No apology. No hiding it. No fear of the sneering secular press. And his Premier League club, rather than burying it, preaches Joshua 1:9 to millions. Let that sink in. The world told us sports and faith do not mix. Ben Gannon Doak and Bournemouth just told the world otherwise. Pray for this young man. God is building something.

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