Copy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article 0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterSubscribe to our newsletterJonjo Shelvey was never the type of footballer to shy away from a challenge throughout his career, but one of his tougher battles came away from the pitch.The former Liverpool, Newcastle United and England midfielder developed alopecia from an early age, with the condition making him a target for certain sections of fans.One of the more common chants Shelvey had to endure referenced Harry Potters arch-nemesis.Shelvey on the Voldemort chantsVoldemorts lack of hair was the catalyst for these cruel chants, with Shelvey admitting that he found the abuse tough in his younger years.It was hard, but its something you learn to deal with, he explains to FourFourTwo, admitting that he eventually just learned to live with it. You may like Jonjo Shelvey: "Alan Pardew said I couldn't take a girl out" Jonjo Shelvey opens on the challenges he faced during his 18-month spell in Turkey Jonjo Shelvey on his Gareth Southgate rift and England snub I cant change it, its part of me, he adds. Its one of those things that you live with or you crumble.This has meant Shelvey has developed a thick skin that has enabled him to brush off the abuse of tens of thousands of fans.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.Its not a nice thing to have 50,000 fans singing: Harry Potter, he's coming for you. You just have to play along with it, and it hasnt bothered me for a long time.Part of this process has meant that Shelvey found a routine that worked for him.When I first shaved my head, I used to do it every two days, as soon as a bit of it would come through, as it grows in patches, but now I just do it when theres a game.I dont care what I look like during the week.As Shelvey looks back at those early days of his career, he can at least draw on positives for the future.For young lads that suffer with it now, its a good thing that I went through it first. I was tormented, but at least I can relay my experiences to them.TOPICSLiverpoolEnglandNewcastle UnitedPremier LeagueJoe MewisSocial Links NavigationFor more than a decade, Joe Mewis has worked in football journalism as a reporter and editor. Mewis has had stints at Mirror Football and LeedsLive among others and worked at FourFourTwo throughout Euro 2024, reporting on the tournament. In addition to his journalist work, Mewis is also the author of four football history books that include times on Leeds United and the England national team. Now working as a digital marketing coordinator at Harrogate Town, too, Mewis counts some of his best career moments as being in the iconic Spygate press conference under Marcelo Bielsa and seeing his beloved Leeds lift the Championship trophy during lockdown.With contributions fromSam Pilger
