Guest Mick Kennedy Posted August 16, 2018 Share Posted August 16, 2018 Over the last two weeks amatuer football has lost two young men to suicide. The devastating news of such events highlights how difficult life can be at times and puts things into perspective. I this week have spoken to my players highlighting the importantance of speaking out in times difficulty, and how the club can be there to support and be a. listening ear in hard times. Over the years amatuer football and the players, managers and committees that I have shared my footballing life with have helped me through some real difficult times. I’m sure many clubs up and down the country have and still help and support many players throughout their playing career, during some of the most difficult times in their life’s. This important role amatuer football plays is something that goes unregonised in their contribution to players and communities. I have said many time to my players the people you share the changing room with, during the success and difficult times will always be more important and those memories in years to come will be worth more than any trophy. I know at times we are enemies all trying to be successful, but please if you haven’t already speak with your players on the importance of speaking out and asking for help in difficult times, for some, yous will be their only support. In all the positive work your club does, yous will probably never realise the important role you all played in shaping and supporting your players life’s, something we all should be applauded for. I knows these are difficult times for amatuer football, but our roles are sometimes more important than wining trophies. Amatuer football is something we should be proud to be part of, it’s such important institution in this country for many reason. From everyone at Colville Park our thoughts and prayers are with Motherwell Thistle and Whisaw football club, and both players families., Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cunny Posted August 16, 2018 Share Posted August 16, 2018 Great post Mick, we at Shortlees have suffered a loss in these circumstances, and it hurt the family, friends and the club, and still does to this day. I won't go in to detail abut it to much, as the pain is still here for us. Mick is right, if you feel, you need to talk to someone, be it family, a team mate, a committee man, or a friend, do it, nothing is worth the pain you will leave behind. Thanks for this post Mick, and for keeping it real, you take care. Shortlees thoughts are with both clubs, and all family and friends left with the grief, our heart goes out to them. God bless. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The golden child Posted August 17, 2018 Share Posted August 17, 2018 Great to see the amateur family getting together at this sad time as much as we slag each other off its times like this we stick together and pray for the familys of the boys and friends snd love ones RIP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Budandavodka Posted August 17, 2018 Share Posted August 17, 2018 Great post Michael. [emoji1376][emoji1376] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bridgewater Posted August 17, 2018 Share Posted August 17, 2018 Spoiler Nicely put Mick. Would be superb if the SAFA and leagues (i know the Sunday Central already have) got behind this thought process and put something in place whether it would be a confidential help line for boys to talk to, or even access to a qualified professional to talk to, or even as free sponsorship to local charities who specialise in this matter with league or association fundraisers making donations towards these. Reason i say this, is that we all know that at times we will all do anything to avoid telling our closet friends our feelings, so opening up to a team mate might not be the answer to every one. I obviously don't have the answers, but Bridgewater would love to get behind any initiative that would help young men in the times they need it most. Finally, it goes without saying but thoughts to every one connected to the boys from Wishaw, Motherwell and Shortlees. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Mick Kennedy Posted August 17, 2018 Share Posted August 17, 2018 The Safa are looking at ways to put a support structure in place for clubs and players I believe. Alex who runs the Sunday league has been part of those early discussions Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewBallsPlease Posted August 18, 2018 Share Posted August 18, 2018 Good post Michael. I think there may also have been another young player, from East Kilbride over the last few weeks.I didn’t realise the Wishaw player had passed away although I knew he was critically ill. Thoughts with all concerned. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xnxx Posted August 18, 2018 Share Posted August 18, 2018 Great to see teams pull together and try do something for this cause. Football to me is like having an extended family and door is always open to them. Speaking from experience it's reassuring that there is some one who is always willing to listen and not judge Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StuG92 Posted August 20, 2018 Share Posted August 20, 2018 On 8/18/2018 at 11:00, NewBallsPlease said: Good post Michael. I think there may also have been another young player, from East Kilbride over the last few weeks. I didn’t realise the Wishaw player had passed away although I knew he was critically ill. Thoughts with all concerned. As per another thread topic, Aaron (WIshaw High FP's) remains in critical care - we can only hope and pray he pulls through. Can only echo the posts above with regard to speaking out and stop this stigma. Thoughts are with those effected at some stage in their lives as well as PG's family, girlfriend and team mates at Motherwell Thistle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sctv Posted August 20, 2018 Share Posted August 20, 2018 Great post Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jagerooni Posted August 20, 2018 Share Posted August 20, 2018 Great post Mick. As part of the Motherwell Thistle management team, it has been truly humbling the support our players, the family of PG, and his girlfriend and family have received from friends, other teams and other players. We could spend the rest of the season playing charity games..... My personal view is that while it would be great to speak to someone, anyone, the person listening has to understand what is being said to them. We have guys beating themselves up because they didn't realise what he was actually saying to them and didn't realise the enormity of it. Neither the players nor management are counsellors. Being older though gives the experience of life's up and downs. In every dark moment an unexpected door opens.. This is a life. I wish the young guys would realise and get this. There is no problem that cannot be sorted I sincerely hope that we nor anyone never has to go through this devastation ever again. As Mick says, there is no shame in asking for help, on the contrary, there are hundreds of families, friends and team mates who will be there for anyone at anytime. Young guys should never feel they are alone because they're not. if I could have 1 wish it would be to bring PG back to see just how many people cared for him and every one of them was there for him. I imagine he would be gutted by the ripples of devastation cos he was a nice guy. I realise I'm sounding like a preacher but if there is anyone out there reading this and is down, look around you and realise you are part of a massive family, each and everyone will help. Just talk. in this incredibly difficult time for Wishaw FPs, our hearts, thoughts and prayers go out to Aaron, his family and all the team. We hope he pulls through. Life is short and I beg all of you, don't make it any shorter. Raymond Motherwell Thistle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GAVT67 Posted August 23, 2018 Share Posted August 23, 2018 Raymond/Mick absolutely superb posts. What a month or so its been, all for reasons we are not at all comfortable dealing with and speaking about . I suppose for us older ones on football team commitees/managment etc we will in truth be older and probably as Raymond puts it, possibly be more equiped to deal with life's up and downs as there thrown at us from time to time. I hadn't posted on here until now as young Aaron is still with us and fighting for life in Wishaw General. I will refrain from posting anything about the circumstances as I don't feel it is appropriate as his familly cling to hope that his situation improves. All our players, committee and management team would like to thank ALL the Amateur football familly for their many texts/phone calls and e-mails etc to say they are thinking of Aaron and hope he pulls through. We appreciate every single one of them. This has not only affected WHSFPs but also Craigneuk Amateurs from our Association as Aaron's brother Jonny plays for them. The compassion and understanding shown to both clubs from the Executive Committee of the CSAFL and ALL the CSAFL clubs for their understanding at this time is very much appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.