Non-League Footballers Mental Health Championed by Bath Mind and the Toolstation Western League

The Toolstation Western League are working with Bath Mind to pilot a mental health partnership supporting the football family and players in particular. The six Western League sides located in Bath and North East Somerset have been offered specially created posters, promoting mental health support services designed to help younger people, which can be located into their home and away changing rooms.

Research conducted by the Toolstation Western League earlier this season highlighted that around a quarter of players had considered seeking help with a mental health issue. The subject of mental health was first tackled by the Western League in March 2020, when they launched their Think of a Fan campaign.

Chairman of the Western League, John Pool, explained: “Think of a Fan was our way of remembering that for many fans, football is more than just a game. It’s an important release, a chance to meet friends, get out of the house and have some fun.

Many people are still working through the loneliness and anxiety caused by lockdown, but we must not forget that our players are no different. They are as important to us as any members of our football family and this important partnership with Bath Mind is our way of supporting them.”

As well as changing room posters, Bath Mind have provided leaflets for fans, as well as programme adverts, highlighting the variety of support services they provide. If successful, this initial pilot will be extended by the Western League to cover all 40 Clubs across the South West of England, from Cornwall to Wiltshire.

Hannah Roper, Director of Business Development at Bath Mind, said: “We at Bath Mind are thrilled to be working in partnership with The Toolstation Western League, to support and promote positive mental health for the football community. Throughout the pandemic Bath Mind has been fighting an epidemic of mental ill-health. We have increased our services to meet the growing needs of our community, and help reduce pressure on NHS services.

Through this pilot we hope to encourage everyone to talk about their mental health, seek help at an early stage and reduce the stigma associated with mental ill-health. As a local, independent charity, Bath Mind relies heavily on local fundraising to keep our services going, therefore we are grateful to The Toolstation Western League and their fans for their fundraising efforts.”

Bradford Town

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The Early Years (1992 - 1996)

Bradford Town F.C. was founded in 1992 by Les and Pat Stevens, joining Division Two of the Wiltshire League. Home matches were played at St Laurence School in Bradford on Avon where the pitch was roped off before each game, dugouts were carried to the pitch and the half time tea was made in the boot of a car.

Following a short spell at Trowbridge Town’s old Frome Road ground the club came home to Bradford in 1996 moving into Trowbridge Road. The ground was established in 1912 as the home of rubber works team Spencer Moulton FC and latterly Avon Bradford FC, before Town became custodians.

Western League Success (2005 - 2014)

Bradford achieved promotion to the Western League in the 2005-06 season under the leadership of Mark Hodkinson after finishing runners up in the Wiltshire League Premier Division. Former players Paul Shanley and his assistant Mark Edwards took over at the helm in 2008-09 season which saw a 3rd place league finish and floodlights installed at the ground.

The following season saw the installation of a 100-seat main stand, a 4th place league finish and a 2nd Round appearance in the FA Vase. Town then posted successive 6th, 5th and 4th place league finishes before embarking on a year to remember in 2013-14 when they won the Division One title by 13 points.

League consolidation and FA Vase campaigns (2015 - 2018)

The team’s first season in the Premier Division concluded with a respectable 8th place finish but it was their exploits in the FA Vase which proved to be the highlight of the campaign. A gate of 621 at Trowbridge Road witnessed a 3-1 victory over Melksham Town in the 4th Round, their sixth scalp of the campaign, before bowing out in the next round. Another 8th place finish was recorded the following year whilst after three victories in the FA Cup, they were edged out 3-2 by Chippenham Town in the 2nd Qualifying Round.

After eight years in charge, the 2016-17 season began with Paul Shanley stepping down, replaced by ex- Forest Green stalwart Danny Greaves, assisted by former fans favourite Aaron Wilson. After 25 tireless years as Chairman Les Stevens handed over the reins to Mark Hodkinson with Jon Phillips as deputy, both of whom had long standing connections with the club.