Jonjo Shelvey has missed penalties before — but few have made headlines like his recent one.

Footage of the Arabian Falcons captain’s missed spot-kick against Al Fath went viral earlier this month after he failed to hit the target completely. The clip, taken during a UAE Second Division League match at Jebel Ali Shooting Club, quickly racked up more than a million views on social media.

Shelvey estimates there were just “75 supporters” in attendance, a stark contrast to the roaring crowds he once played in front of during spells with Liverpool, Swansea City, and Newcastle United.

But the 33-year-old insists the online ridicule doesn’t bother him.

“It doesn’t bother me,” he said. “People are saying I’ve gone there for money — what money? There’s no money in the UAE Second Division. The average wage here is about £2,000 a month. My brother earns more working in a London hotel. It’s never been about the money.”

A Fresh Start in Dubai

So why has a former England international ended up in the UAE’s third tier?

After leaving Rizespor in Turkey, Shelvey found himself “doing nothing for two months.” A failed trial at Hull City and a hamstring injury stalled his career — until Arabian Falcons manager Harry Agombar, a childhood friend, called.

Agombar asked him to come to Dubai to help “grow the club”. For Shelvey, it was the perfect chance for a new beginning.

“I’ve had my time. I’m happy and content,” Shelvey said. “I just want to enjoy football again — wake up, train, and spend time with my family.”

The move also represented something deeper. Shelvey admitted he no longer wanted his children to grow up in England.

“We were lucky to live in a nice part of the UK, but where I’m originally from, you can’t have nice things. I’d never wear a watch in London anymore — you can’t even have your phone out,” he explained.

Life Beyond England

Shelvey’s comments reflect wider concerns about life in the UK. According to Metropolitan Police figures, more than 80,000 mobile phones were stolen in London last year, and a number of high-profile robberies made headlines — from Jenson Button’s stolen valuables to Shafira Huang’s £10m jewellery heist.

Despite improvements, with personal robbery down 13% and theft reduced 14% in 2025 so far, Shelvey says he still doesn’t feel comfortable there.

“I’m not massive on politics,” he added. “I just see what goes on — people getting arrested for tweeting, all the flags, the slogans. The UK isn’t what it was 10 or 15 years ago.”

The Love He Found at Newcastle

While Shelvey has left the UK behind, one place still holds his heart — Newcastle.

He calls the North East “the only place in England I’d ever want to live.”

“There’s this debate about whether Newcastle can attract big players compared to London or Manchester clubs,” he said. “But until you go there, you don’t understand what it does to you. You won’t find love at a football club like I found there. The fans back you completely.”

Shelvey spent seven years at St James’ Park, more than with any other team in his career. He stayed loyal after relegation in 2016 and played a vital role in the club’s immediate return to the Premier League.

He recalls with pride scoring what he called a “massive goal” against Leeds United — a scrappy strike that proved crucial in Eddie Howe’s early tenure.

“If I hadn’t scored that, the club would have gone down — I’m joking,” he laughed. “Looking back, you realise how big it was. The keeper chucked one in, I scuffed it, but it went in. I loved every moment of my time there.”

Shelvey’s affection for Howe remains deep. “He knew how to get into your head,” he said — a nod to the manager’s man-management that helped shape his later career.

From Player to Coach

Though his playing days aren’t over, Shelvey is already thinking about what comes next.

Now based full-time in Dubai, he combines morning training sessions with evening coaching while working towards his UEFA A Licence.

A member of Howe’s backroom team has encouraged him to reconnect with Newcastle to gain experience, but Shelvey is determined to make his way independently.

“I want to get there on merit, not because I know someone,” he explained.

His one-year contract with the Arabian Falcons includes an option for extension, and his focus is helping the club earn promotion to the UAE’s second tier. Among his new teammates is Ravel Morrison, another once-promising English midfielder seeking a new path abroad.

Shelvey believes the league’s quality is underestimated. “There are a few players out here who could play in League One or League Two if given the chance,” he said.

The Reality of Age and the Future Ahead

Shelvey’s tone is realistic, even philosophical.

He admits that age and injuries weigh heavily on his mind. “When you get older, every time you go on the training pitch you think, ‘Is this going to be my last session?’” he reflected.

“If I got a bad injury now, I’d probably call it a day. I wouldn’t want to go through the process of rehabbing. There’s a fear in that, but while I still feel strong and fit, I’ll keep going.”

For a player who once graced the Premier League’s grandest stages, Shelvey’s journey to Dubai might seem a quiet final act. Yet to him, it’s a story of peace, perspective, and rediscovering the simple joy of football — far from the noise, scrutiny, and chaos of English football.