PRINCE WILLIAM’S MESSAGE TO FANS
A SHORT film encouraging football fans to look after their mental health will be played before kick-off at every FA Cup third-round match this weekend.
Suicide is the biggest killer of men under the age of 45 in the UK. The kick-off for all 32 fixtures will be delayed by 60 seconds as a way of encouraging fans to ‘Take A Minute’ to look after their own mental health and that of their family and friends.
Narrated by the FA president Prince William, the film also features current and former players, pundits, managers and fans – including Frank Lampard, Harry Maguire, Alex Scott and Dele Alli. The film is a collaboration between Public Health England’s Every Mind Matters, and the
FA and Heads Together’s ‘Heads Up’ campaign.
Chelsea manager Lampard said: “I came from a family where we bottled up a lot of emotions, feelings and sometimes anxieties.
“I think a huge thing now is the great campaigns that are going on encouraging people to speak openly about looking after your mental health and not feel bad about how you feel inside. As men, sometimes we can think that it’s a weakness, but it certainly isn’t. It’s a huge strength.”
Tottenham and England star Alli said: “There are so many people struggling with their mental health, so I want to help people understand that they don’t have to deal with it alone.”
FA chief executive Mark Bullingham added: “While delaying kick-off times by 60 seconds is a simple idea, it provides a powerful platform for us and our Heads Up charity partners to deliver a really important message on mental health."
Those in need of immediate support can text ‘HeadsUp’ to 85258 to be connected to a trained crisis counsellor. This service is 24/7, and free to text from most mobile networks.
If you are worried about someone or if you are finding it hard to cope, call the Samaritans free any time, from any phone, on 116 123 or you can visit samaritans.org for 24/7 confidential support.
Fans can search Every Mind Matters to create their own personal mental health action plan or visit everymindmatters.co.uk
THE makeshift Newcastle side Steve Bruce sends out to face Rochdale this lunchtime may scream a lack of respect for the FA Cup.
But appearances can be deceptive, summed up by manager Bruce’s throwaway remark that “no one wants to lose to bloody Rochdale!”
It is not meant as a barb at today’s opponents – more the fact that the Geordie dreams of cup glory.
Newcastle are without 11 outfield players, including five defenders, and Andy Carroll is the latest casualty with a hip problem.
“It would have been the same team had this been a Premier League game,” said Bruce.
Florian Lejeune is the only senior man missing despite not being injured, and Bruce said: “Asking him to play four games in 10 days was too much. I regret it.
“I’ve said from day one, after taking Hull to the final, we’ll have a crack at it.We’ll be as strong as we can.”