William tackles his footballing rivals in mental health field
PRINCE William admitted he had to be “careful what I say” as he crossed into football enemy territory to launch the latest stage of his mental health campaign.
He is a diehard Aston Villa fan, so he joked with players and coaches when he visited theirWerst Midlands’ rivals West Bromwich Albion.
Mark Jenkins, chief executive of the Championship outfit, teased the royal how captain Chris Brunt had “played well against Villa”.
Brunt, 34, who has starred in more than 400 games for the side, laughed as he replied: “I wasn’t going to mention that.” And William responded: “Well, I’m careful what I say.”
The Duke of Cambridge – who is president of the Football Association – met head coach Slaven Bilic, firstteam players, staff and academy youngsters to discuss his Heads Up campaign. It is aimed at breaking down the stigma of mental health in the sport.
William, 37, quizzed them about the impact these challenges can often have upon their mental wellbeing. He said: “I’m sorry I’m here as an AstonVilla fan but I’m hoping we can move on from that.
Powerful
“I hope you have heard of the campaign we are running, trying to get everyone involved in the game talking about mental health.The stats are bad about men and mental health, really bad.
“Girls are pretty good, but guys are really bad at talking about it.”
William spoke at length with player Jake Livermore, who has battled his severe mental health issues and made a comeback.
Livermore, 30, escaped a ban from the game after he slid into cocainefuelled depression following his baby son’s death in 2014.
An independent FA panel accepted he had powerful mitigating circumstances in turning to drugs owing to his mental state for which he sought professional help.
Former England international Gareth Barry, 38, told the Duke how the club had become “more aware” of how to better handle mental health in the past 12 months, as Livermore agreed by saying “it’s definitely going in the right direction”.
As a cheeky gesture, Mr Jenkins presented William with two West
William meets the squad and, right, chats to youth coach James Morrison and striker Charlie Austin yesterday
Brom shirts for children Princess Charlotte, four, and Prince Louis, one, with their ages on the back.
After Prince George’s wild celebrations that were caught on camera during Villa’s 5-1 drubbing of Norwich last month, Mr Jenkins confessed: “I don’t think we’ve got a chance with your eldest”. He gave the Duke a football for George, six.