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      Inside David Beckham’s battle with OCD as footie legend throws open his wardrobe for new Netflix documentary

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      DAVID Beckham has opened up about his obsessive tendencies — and says he lines up clothes ready to wear a week in advance.The former England captain throws open his wardrobe in his new documentary, showing off outfits which have to be immaculately folded.
      David Beckham throws open his wardrobe for his new Netflix documentaryCredit: NETFLIX
      David confesses to staying up after everyone has gone to bed so he can tidy up the houseCredit: BackGrid
      David Beckham’s perfectly organised sock drawer is also shown in the documentaryCredit: netflix
      The 48-year-old, nicknamed Goldenballs in his illustrious playing career, also confesses to staying up after everyone has gone to bed so he can tidy up the house.
      The father of four discusses the reality of his obsessive compulsive disorder — including a spotless refrigerator — in the final part of his Netflix series, entitled Beckham.
      A throwback clip is shown of a teenage Beckham in an immaculate bedroom. The youngster says: “I hate an untidy room.”
      Fast-forward several decades and modern-day Beckham is seen in his equally well-kept surroundings, with all of his clothes meticulously arranged.
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      He explains: “It’s all quite organised — jackets, jean shirts, shirts and then it goes from jumpers, cardies to T-shirts, underwear socks and then suits.”
      Pointing out the rail underneath a window, he admits some of his tendencies have become more extreme.
      He says: “Those are my outfits for the rest of the week, I prep my week. It used to just be the night before.”
      Oscar-winning Beckham director Fisher Stevens asks him: “Is that a new obsession?”
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      Becks, who has previously spoken about his OCD, shrugs: “Yeah, I’m quite organised.”
      He then visibly recoils after opening his trousers drawer and noticing the hangers are fractionally askew. He declares: “Someone’s been in here.”
      The former Manchester United midfielder, who famously stayed behind after training to practice his free-kicks, said previously: “I have got this obsessive compulsive ­disorder where I have to have everything in a straight line or everything has to be in pairs.”
      In the four-part documentary, he shows off the contents of his fridge, where bottles and jars are all ­perfectly laid out label-first.
      Beckham, married to Victoria and dad to Brooklyn, Romeo, Cruz and Harper, is also seen frantically scrubbing the oven and wiping down the kitchen counter after cooking a roast dinner for the whole family.
      Becks says he lines up clothes ready to wear a week in advanceCredit: BackGrid
      The father of four discusses the reality of his obsessive compulsive disorderCredit: NETFLIX
      OCD is a mental health condition that can affect anyone at any age.
      Sufferers typically develop obsessive thoughts and compulsions — such as touching a lamppost a ­certain number of times — which can disrupt their daily life.
      It can also lead to body dysmorphia, compulsive skin picking and hoarding, according to charity Mind.
      The condition can be ­controlled and treatment usually involves psychological therapy or medication.
      It is not known why OCD occurs but it can be triggered by a major life event such as childbirth or bereavement.
      People who are naturally tidy are also more likely to develop it.
      Beckham is seen in the documentary giving fashion designer and former Spice Girl Victoria, 49, a telling-off for leaving the salt out.
      And he admits going round the house on his own tidying, and even cleaning smoke from candles, before he can head off to bed.
      In his kitchen, he says: “I clean [the house] so well, I’m not sure it’s actually appreciated so much by my wife, in all honesty.
      “The fact that when everyone’s in bed I then go around, clean the candles, turn the lights on to the right setting, make sure everywhere is tidy. I hate coming down in the morning and there’s cups and plates and, you know, bowls. It’s tiring going around every single candle cleaning it.
      “I clip the candle wax, I clean the glass, that’s my pet hate, the smoke around the inside of a candle . . . I know, it’s weird.”
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      The Beckhams live in an eight-bedroom £25million mansion in west London, as well as owning a sprawling home in the Cotswolds.
      Both houses are featured in the series though it is not known if the couple also have a cleaner. More

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      The football team that’s about more than winning

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      “WINNING is fantastic but it’s not our goal – it’s supporting each other on the pitch that counts.”It’s not exactly your typical manager’s pre-match huddle talk, but then South London’s Saving Souls FC aren’t your typical football team.
      Kerry Phillips founded Saving Souls FC to help bring people together
      While winning is a bonus, the real focus of the team, who are supported by National Lottery funding, is scoring victories over issues men face with their mental health.
      “I’m an Arsenal season ticket holder – I go by myself, home and away, and end up talking to so many different people,” says Kerry Phillips, Saving Souls’ founder, manager and “head of laundry”.
      “During lockdown, I realised that for me football is about more than 22 men kicking a ball.
      “It’s a point of connection with other people that nurtures my soul.” 
      Kerry, 36, from Catford, felt isolated during lockdown and reached out to friends on the phone.
      He sensed they were experiencing loneliness too but he couldn’t broach the subject. 
      “It was frustrating. It’s that ‘Men don’t talk about their feelings’ thing.”
      Kerry did some research and realised there was a problem. According to mental health charity Mind, 43 per cent of men regularly feel low but 28 per cent say embarrassment stops them seeking help.
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      Men from minority ethnic groups are even less likely to access help than their white counterparts.
      “In 2017, I had therapy and that helped me understand my own mental health issues,” Kerry says.
      “As a child and young man I was overweight and lacked self-esteem, masking it with an outgoing persona.
      “Even after I lost 14st in my mid-twenties, I lacked confidence. Finally, turning 30, I faced up to my issues. That gave me tools for dealing with things.”
      National Lottery funding helps pay for the pitch hire
      Lockdown knocked his sense of self all over again. He wondered if there was something he could do to improve the mental health of men in his community.
      A couple of years earlier he’d organised a charity football match for his church – over-thirties versus under-thirties.
      “It was an intergenerational bonding session,” he says. “Was there a way of replicating that on a regular basis?”
      Kerry contacted the London Football Association and enquired about setting up a club with the aim of encouraging men to talk.
      Next, he rang Bellingham Leisure Centre, close to his home, and asked about hiring a pitch.
      Within weeks he had bagged a spot in the South London Grassroots Football League. Now all he needed was a team.
      The team are all about encouraging men to talk
      TALKING A GOOD GAME
      “I came up with the name Saving Souls FC and set up an Instagram account and promoted the first training session in 2021,” he says.
      “Sitting there on my own, I was nervous people wouldn’t turn up. But ten showed. Now Saving Souls has 88 members in its WhatsApp group.”
      Training takes place every other Friday evening, matches mostly on weekdays. And on the last Thursday of every month, Saving Souls holds a men’s forum.
      If people have specific problems they want to discuss, Kerry can signpost them to organisations like Citizens Advice and StepChange, the debt charity. 
      “We’re very diverse, with different religions and cultures,” he says. “Ages too – our oldest member is 58 and his son is the youngest at 18.
      “Friendships form – two members went into business together, while another felt strong enough to come off antidepressants through the boost playing gave him.”
      The team are achieving on the pitch too, winning the Grassroots League in 2022 with a goal difference of 137 and being named London FA Grassroots Project of the Year.
      Last year, Kerry successfully applied for National Lottery funding.
      “The FA gave us funding but I was spending my own money too,” he says.
      “We pay to hire the pitch, for example, but people might be struggling so sessions are free. National Lottery support was a lifesaver.”
      National Lottery players support health and wellbeing projects near you, like Saving Souls FC – the club helping people to improve their wellbeing and mental health through free weekly football matches.
      The National Lottery is also the proud sponsor of The Sun’s Who Cares Win Awards 2023, celebrating people, like Kerry, who put caring into everyday action.
      This season, Saving Souls FC have taken a break from the Grassroots League. “To give other teams a chance,” Kerry jokes.
      Instead, they’re organising matches with community groups, including teams of asylum seekers and Forces veterans.
      The club are welcoming women too, with free self-defence classes and plans for a women’s team.
      READ MORE SUN STORIES
      Saving souls through winning and, as importantly, cheerfully conceding goals: it’s a simple concept but it works.
      Back of the net, Kerry and team. More

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      in Boxing

      Boxer Prichard Colon’s mum shares health update on son as he celebrates birthday and receives gift from Daddy Yankee

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      PRICHARD COLON’S mother Nieves has shared an update on his health as he celebrated his birthday.Nieves shared a video presenting the former boxer with a cupcake and a candle.
      Prichard Colon’s mum shared an update on his condition on his birthdayCredit: TIKTOK fuerzacampeon_
      The boxer suffered a bleed on the brain during a fight in 2015Credit: Getty
      Colon, who turned 31, is seen smiling in response to his birthday cake, while he also received a signed boxing glove from rapper Daddy Yankee.
      Fans reacted to the video by offering up well wishes for his birthday and his recovery.
      The Puerto Rican fighter suffered a bleed on the brain during a 2015 fight with Terrel Williams.
      He was subjected to repeated blows to the back of his head during the bout, causing part of his skull to collapse.
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      The boxer left the ring but became dizzy and nauseous in his dressing room.
      He went into a coma for 221 days and has since been looked after at Brooks Rehabilitation Hospital in Orange Park, Florida.
      Nieves provides updates on her son’s health on social media and earlier this year posted a video titled “Prichard Colon-Melendez 5K run for the woods” which featured a video of Colon on a trail in a specially adapted mobility chair.
      It is unclear how much the former sportsman will recover but so far he is showing good progress.
      Most read in Boxing
      Former heavyweight world champion Deontay Wilder broke down in tears while discussing Colon’s condition following his last win against Robert Helenius in October last year.
      He pointed to Colon as an example of the dangers boxers face when they entered the ring and showed sympathy for his fellow fighter. More

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      Eagle-eyed fans say ‘the mental battle is already LOST’ for KSI after spotting what he did in two Tommy Fury face-offs

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      EAGLE-EYED fans have claimed “the mental battle is already LOST” for KSI following his face-offs with Tommy Fury. The celebrity boxing stars clash in a massive Battle of Britain bout on October 14 in Manchester.
      KSI facing off with Tommy Fury ahead of their fightCredit: Reuters
      And before the DAZN pay-per-view showdown the two came head during a heated press conference and face-off interview.
      Both times KSI attempted to make Fury flinch by pretending to take a lunge at him and grabbing a bottle of Prime to dash his rival’s way.
      But after each attempt failed to faze the unbeaten boxer, fans spoke out to say KSI was already in a losing battle.
      One said: “KSI Has now FAILED at making Tommy Fury flinch TWICE‼️ The mental battle is already lost for this man.”
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      Another slammed: “KSI is embarrassing.”
      One asked: “He’s trying to make him flinch from 2 meters away, idk why he’s tried it twice.”
      KSI let out a menacing laugh as he grabbed a bottle of his popular Prime drink.
      But a confused Fury responded with: “What was that about? There’s no flinching out of me, mate.
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      “But don’t worry, I’ve got a rock solid metal (bottle) here and a lot more power behind my throw as well.
      “And there’s no flinching there, you tried to but you didn’t and I hope your feints are a lot better because that was s***.”
      KSI also left Fury bemused after making a remark about the size of his manhood, having accepted the grudge match as a huge betting underdog.
      He said: “Have you not seen the size of my balls, bro? I’ve got f basketballs down there.”
      Fury replied: “I don’t want to. Why does him and Jake Paul keep coming out with this?
      “Jake Paul said he was going to do such and such on fight week, and now you’re talking about balls. What is it with you guys?”
      The celebrity stars clash in a massive bout on October 14 in ManchesterCredit: Reuters More

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      Tough guy Ten Hag’s not a school headmaster… if his approach doesn’t lead Man Utd to more wins then it isn’t working

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      WE know he’s a tough guy, who’s not afraid to make the tough calls, Erik ten Hag.That much is brutally apparent.
      Erik ten Hag already has two big questions to answer early in the seasonCredit: EPA
      Contrast Ten Hag’s treatment of Jadon Sancho with the more understanding approach to Richarlison shown by Spurs manager Ange PostecoglouCredit: Rex
      Here’s the guy who bombed out Cristiano Ronaldo, stripped Harry Maguire of the captaincy, released David de Gea and has now frozen out Jadon Sancho.
      Big balls, this fella. Proper hardline. An alpha male. A ‘come on punk, make my day’ kind of a boss.
      Cue a standing ovation from the cheap seats, where they’re convinced Premier League footballers are all filthy-rich prima donnas who need to be brought down a peg.
      Ten Hag says there was ‘no good culture’ when he arrived at Manchester United, after the benign reign of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and that supply-teacher interlude under Ralf Rangnick.
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      And most managerial appointments are a reaction against the predecessor.
      Who knows, when Ten Hag goes, maybe United will replace him with Peter Kay or one of Britain’s other leading light entertainers.
      But with United in the bottom half of the table after five poor performances out of five, two questions arise.
      Firstly, can Ten Hag’s ‘my way or the highway’ routine actually work at an elite club in the 21st century?
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      And secondly, while he has proved adept at tearing things apart, is the Dutchman actually showing any signs of building anything positive?
      Consider Ten Hag’s approach to  Sancho, against that of Tottenham’s Ange Postecoglou towards Richarlison.
      The known circumstances are very different — Sancho is accused of lacking professionalism, while Richarlison has admitted he is struggling on a human level and seeking help with his mental health.
      But the contrast in approach between the two managers still feels relevant.
      Postecoglou spoke with intelligence and decency about Richarlison’s struggles on Friday.
      The following day, the Brazilian headed an equaliser to spark an  improbable injury-time comeback win against Sheffield United.
      Ten Hag publicly stated that Sancho had trained poorly when he was left out of the squad for the defeat at Arsenal.
      And when Sancho effectively accused his boss of lying and making him a ‘scapegoat’, he refused to  apologise and has been frozen out of first-team training as a result.
      Ten Hag has frozen Jadon Sancho out after a controversial disputeCredit: Getty
      Consider that Antony  is currently on leave of absence to address accusations of assaulting women, with Mason Greenwood on loan at Getafe after allegations of attempted rape, coercion and assault were dropped.
      So it’s not as if Sancho is the baddest man at Carrington. And it’s not as if Ten Hag didn’t need wingers.
      Indeed, he sent out a team in a midfield diamond, without wide forwards, against Brighton on Saturday and United took a 3-1 hiding.
      The subject of footballers’ mental health is often turned on and off like a tap.
      Dele Alli opens up bravely about the impact of an extremely difficult upbringing, and everyone salutes his bravery, promising to remember that footballers are humans and cut them some slack.
      Then Sancho gets called out and he’s widely accused of being an ill-disciplined brat.
      It would be interesting to hear Sancho’s full story but if he gave it, he would doubtless be fined two weeks’ wages.
      Remember that Sancho was given an extended break last season to work on ‘physical and mental issues’.
      Maybe a genuine tough guy doesn’t always need to make a show of being the tough guy. Footballers respect managers who are authentic.
      Also remember that Sancho was bold enough to leave his comfort zone by moving to Borussia Dortmund as a 17-year-old and tore it up in the Bundesliga — a forerunner to Jude Bellingham.
      Paint Sancho as a wrong ‘un all you like but the truth is almost certainly more complex. He’s probably a bundle of contradictions like most of us.
      And he’s also a £73million player who operates in a position where United are lacking.
      Ten Hag is a football manager, not the headmaster of a reform school.
      If his approach doesn’t lead to United winning more football matches, then it isn’t working.
      And maybe a genuine tough guy doesn’t always need to make such a show of being the tough guy.
      Footballers respect managers who are authentic. Are United’s players respectful of Ten Hag’s methods?
      Well it’s not as if Ten Hag’s ‘toughness’ is being reflected on the pitch.Brighton waltzed through a static defence several times as they chalked up their fourth consecutive  victory over United.
      This season, United haven’t looked like a team with an identity and a plan.
      Ten Hag built a wonderful side at Ajax but there are few signs of anything similar at Old Trafford.
      Most of the club’s problems are not Ten Hag’s fault, especially as the Glazer family’s alleged ‘sale process’ drags on tortuously.
      But United still spent just under £170million this summer only to have gone backwards.
      It was widely expected that United would bid for Harry Kane — who faces them in the Champions League with Bayern Munich tomorrow.But maybe that would have been too obvious — too much like Easy Street for Ten Hag.
      Instead, this tough guy walks the hard yards.
      He must hope that his players are willing to follow him.
      Lord’s player
      SAY anything  negative about the Premier League’s wealthiest clubs and you are  invariably accused of jealousy.
      Yet nobody secretly wishes they support one of the Manchester clubs or Chelsea or Newcastle.
      No, God’s chosen people are Brighton fans — the street cred of the hard-times back story, the glorious rise, the ridiculously successful transfer policy, the beautiful football and the frequent mullerings of the elite.
      As they make their European debut against AEK Athens on Thursday, we wish Seagulls supporters all the very best.
      The lucky, lucky bleeders.
      Out to lunch
      COLIN MURPHY, who has died  aged 79, was a successful lower-league manager, most notably at Lincoln City.
      He was an obsessive football watcher, renowned for having the most high-mileage vehicle in the game.
      Yet Murphy is best remembered for his  magnificently bewildering programme notes.
      Murphy once wrote: “You, me, we, all of us have been forced to breakfast on travesty, lunch on objection and insult, dine on inflicted pressure.“High tea we daren’t sit still long enough to take and, by supper, we were still expected to have been victorious.”
      Doubtless followed by: “Glenn Cockerill remains sidelined by a hamstring injury and I’d like to welcome the players, officials and supporters of Port Vale to Sincil Bank for today’s  Division Three fixture.”
      Skewered
      WHILE waiting to interview Gareth Southgate in a Hampden concourse last week, we perused the menu on offer to Scottish football fans.
      Top of the list a kebab pie.
      So on behalf of the civilised world, thanks to Jude Bellingham for putting these barbarians in their place.
      READ MORE SUN STORIES
      A step too VAR
      CHAMPIONSHIP clubs will shun the introduction of VAR because an overwhelming majority realise that the system has made Premier League football worse, not better.
      Good on them for recognising technology does not always represent ‘progress’. More

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      I was the ‘new Maradona’, had a boot deal as a kid & starred on TV shows but it all got too much – now I’m a cab driver

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      SONNY PIKE was once dubbed the “new Diego Maradona” but now works as a taxi driver.Pike, 40, was once Britain’s biggest football prodigy, but things all got too much and he quit the game having never made a professional appearance.
      Sonny Pike was set for stardom but never made it as a professionalCredit: YouTube
      He is now a taxi driver and football coachCredit: Sonny Pike
      His story began when he was a schoolboy, first playing at local side Enfield FC with a dream of emulating his idol Paul Gascoigne.
      It wasn’t long before he started competing against older children for at school and for his Sunday League team, catching the attention of the press having netted over 100 goals in one season.
      Pike’s first television appearance came on 1990s news show London Tonight before he was then interviewed on hit programmes like Fantasy Football League and The Big Breakfast.
      He had the world’s media in a frenzy as they hyped him up as the “next Maradona or George Best”.
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      It alerted the likes of Ajax, who had developed a reputation for nurturing some of the best talents in the game.
      The Dutch side invited him to a trial in Amsterdam with the then 12-year-old being followed by Blue Peter cameras while in Holland.
      He set about dazzling coaches with his technique and skill despite Pike focusing his future on becoming a Premier League hero one day.
      The fanfare grew on his return from Ajax with his new-found celebrity status.
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      Pike was a guest on Fantasy Football LeagueCredit: YouTube
      He was soon being snapped up by huge companies in sponsorship deals with the likes of McDonald’s, Coca-Cola and Mizuno as all tried to get a piece of the action.
      Pike explained to Flashscore: “I was on the pitch for Coca Cola Cup finals doing kick-ups before the games, I was doing McDonald’s adverts, I was getting Paul Smith making me suits.
      “I started to get awards from Sky Sports at this point in time obviously the Premier League and Sky Sports were just kicking off.
      “I was sponsored by Mizuno and was doing things with [Gianfranco] Zola and all these guys but in the early to mid-90s.
      “Only one or two players out of a Premier League team would have their own boot deal. People were saying, ‘Who’s this Sonny kid, he’s everywhere. He’s a little kid, he’s got deals, he’s going in Hello magazine.’
      “It was rubbing some professionals up the wrong way – but I was just a kid getting all this attention.”
      As quickly as fame arrived, it soon began to disappear and Pike’s life began to spiral downwards.
      Aged 14, the pressure got too much and it was reported that his legs were insured for £1million.
      It led to Pike being on the receiving end of disgusting abuse from jealous parents that wanted their kids to injure him.
      He told SunSport: “Because I had long hair they used to say, ‘he’s only a girl, break his legs.’
      “Not just that, off the pitch and at school I got different treatment that didn’t help me either.
      “Once I remember a guy came up to me on the street to tell me he put a bet on me to play for England. It was scary.”
      Pike is reluctant to blame his father for his downfall but one huge moment led to his career stalling.
      He was signed as a youth player by Leyton Orient and his dad Mickey pushed his son to appear in a documentary called ‘Coaching and Poaching’ presented by Greg Dyke.
      Pike was stunned to hear the documentary, instead of looking at his life as a youngster, actually exposed that Chelsea were tapping him up, with the young star unaware he had broken any rules.
      Pike fell out of love with the beautiful game as a teenagerCredit: Sonny Pike
      The FA banned him and his relationship with his father became further strained when he began to believe Mickey was making money off his name.
      His parents also divorced and Pike was left without a club due to his ban.
      Opened up on the dark time, he said: “After watching that documentary, I came out of the pub and I stood in the middle of the main road in Edmonton, actually on a roundabout.
      “There’s cars just whizzing around me and I just felt that’s what my head was getting like. ‘This is too much, enough of this now.’
      “Then a month later my dad turns up, I’d not seen him for a few weeks. As soon as he comes up towards me, the first thing I’m gonna say to him is, for the very first time, ‘I don’t want to do this no more.’
      “He told me that he had some more work for me, some more TV stuff and I’m literally about to walk up to and say the complete opposite.
      “He said, ‘If you don’t do it, you ain’t got a dad.’”
      Eventually, Pike was handed a chance by Crystal Palace but made the news again when his father did an interview with a newspaper claiming how big offers had ripped the family apart.
      On the pitch, he could no longer cope, revealing: “I pretty-much had a mental breakdown on the pitch. I came on for 15 minutes, I was given the opportunity and I just walked off.
      “The pressure of me going on, it was just too much. I looked at the coach and just walked off.
      “I broke down and I knew it was all over from then.”
      Pike then spent two years at non-league Stevenage until he was 18-years-old on a YTS scheme but his heart was no longer in football.
      Battles with depression continued but the wonderkid managed to turn his life around with the pressures of expectation and media attention gone.
      Pike started a new career working as a cab driver in London while he also helps young and upcoming footballers not fall into the trap of stardom.
      He does coaching sessions but offers support for off-field matters as he delivers talks to parents and players about protecting mental health and the dangers that lie ahead for future pros.
      Pike also wrote a book called “The Greatest Footballer That Never Was” further explaining his story.
      On his life within football now, he says: “I’m talking to their parents and then trying to get the player through that process because obviously I can relate to it a lot – the attention and the pressure they get – I’ve been there. 
      “I get a lot of other kids come in… a boy was sent down from up north and had a professional contract given to him but he didn’t want to sign it.
      Read More on The Sun
      “His mum and dad sent him down to me, just to talk to me. I get a lot of that.”
      Pike adds: “Instead of grabbing all the sponsorship deals and this sort of stuff, getting excited over a few pairs of boots or an advert or whatever else, think long-term and concentrate on and promote the love of football more.”
      Sonny Pike is now a football coachCredit: GettyYou’re Not AloneEVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide.

      It doesn’t discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society – from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.
      It’s the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.
      And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.
      Yet it’s rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.
      That is why The Sun launched the You’re Not Alone campaign.
      The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives.
      Let’s all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others… You’re Not Alone.
      If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:

      CALM, www.thecalmzone.net, 0800 585 858
      Heads Together, www.headstogether.org.uk
      Mind, www.mind.org.uk, 0300 123 3393
      Papyrus, www.papyrus-uk.org, 0800 068 41 41
      Samaritans, www.samaritans.org, 116 123
      Movember, www.uk.movember.com
      Anxiety UK www.anxietyuk.org.uk, 03444 775 774 Monday-Friday 9.30am-10pm, Saturday/Sunday 10am-8pm More

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      Football clubs transform stadiums’ empty seats to read ‘Where’s my mate?’ in plea to remind fans to check on loved ones

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      EMPTY seats at football stadiums have changed as part of a campaign to remind people to check in on friends and loved ones who could be struggling.Rotherham’s AESSEAL New York Stadium and Darlington’s Blackwell Meadows Stadium are currently host to the message from men’s health charity Movember, with the North East and Yorkshire home to the highest suicide rates in the UK.
      Empty seats at Rotherham United FC’s AESSEAL New York Stadium have been adjusted as a part of the ‘Sport the Signs’ campaignCredit: SWNS
      The campaign is to remind people to check in on loved ones and friendsCredit: SWNS
      Some 55 per cent of those in the North East support a local or hometown football team, while 34 per cent of Yorkshire residents do the same, according to a study of 2,000 adults.
      However, things are improving with 68 per cent of men believing it’s easier to talk about their mental wellbeing than it was 20 years ago.
      The initiative forms part of the charity’s “Sport the Signs” campaign, which aims to educate men on how to spot initial signs that could warrant a supportive check-in, such as when that mate who never misses a football game, misses a game.
      The charity wants to heighten awareness around male mental well-being in the lead up to World Suicide Prevention Day on 10th September after the research found an informal environment, such as at the pub, or watching a football game, is a time when men would be most comfortable checking in with a friend.
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      The research found 44 per cent of men in the UK have suffered with their mental wellbeing.
      However, 65 per cent would keep it to themselves if they were struggling, despite 48 per cent saying speaking to a loved one has helped when suffering with their mental health.
      Dr Zac Seidler, global director of men’s health research from Movember, said: “We believe that every football fan holds the potential to make a difference in someone’s life.
      “With our ‘Sport the Signs’ campaign, we’re turning Rotherham United and Darlington F.C.’s stadiums into platforms of hope for World Suicide Prevention Day.
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      The campaign was set up to help people with their mental healthCredit: SWNS
      “Through ‘filling’ these empty seats with such a poignant message, we want to remind people that noticing the signs, reaching out and supporting one another can truly save lives.
      “The only goal we truly care about is to stop men dying too young, and through this landmark collaboration, we hope to equip men with the knowledge, confidence, and tools that could save another man’s life.”
      It also emerged 24 per cent claim to be good at opening up about their mental wellbeing to others.
      While men are also much less likely to open up to a friend about their mental wellbeing – 30 per cent – than women, 42 per cent.
      Additionally, 59 per cent of men wouldn’t know the signs to look out for were someone they knew in crisis, and 55 per cent didn’t know how to reach out and start a conversation.
      Despite this, 59 per cent said they would be most likely to open up face-to-face about their mental health as when people have reached out to them in the past, 57 per cent felt supported, 56 per cent felt cared about and 32 per cent felt relieved. 
      According to data from the Office of National Statistics (ONS), in the UK, three out of four suicides are men, and it remains the leading cause of death among men aged between 20 and 34.
      Psychological research suggests that dominant masculine stereotypes that prevent men from feeling like they can talk openly about their feelings play a large contributing factor.
      The campaign is also taking place at Darlington FC’s Blackwell Meadows StadiumCredit: SWNS
      This is particularly true amongst football fans, with the study carried out via OnePoll indicating that 48 per cent of individuals in this community have grappled with their mental well-being.
      The Sport the Signs campaign is aiming to spread awareness of the key signs that can indicate that a male friend may be in need and encourage men that if they spot a mate whose behaviour is out of character – don’t ignore it, reach out.
      To equip people with the skills needed to have open and honest conversations with friends, the charity has created resources to reveal the key, but often missed, signals that could indicate someone is struggling.
      Howard Webb, former Premier League and Fifa referee, representative at Professional Game Match Officials Board (PGMOL) and Rotherham local is also part of the campaign.
      He said: “One of the reasons we all love the game that is football is the sense of camaraderie and community it offers – whether that’s supporting a team from home or coming along and watching alongside your mates.
      Read More on The Sun
      “People are often surprised when they realise that the people they see the most are those who sit or stand around them at a football game.
      “We want to encourage people to reach out to those around them to help prevent them from reaching crisis point.”
      Contact the Samaritans
      If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, contact The Samaritans on 116 123. They are available for free at anytime.
      Or email https://www.samaritans.org/ More

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      Everton star Dele Alli looks loved up with girlfriend Cindy Kimberly as they soak up the sun on break in Italy

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      DELE ALLI looked loved up with his girlfriend as they soaked up the sun while on a break in Italy.The Everton ace is enjoying a holiday with Cindy Kimberly on the Costa Smeralda in northern Sardinia as he works his way back to full fitness following a hip muscle injury.
      Dele Alli looked loved up with his girlfriend Cindy Kimberly as they sunbathed in ItalyCredit: BackGrid
      The pair packed on the PDA with a series of passionate kisses at Nikki BeachCredit: BackGrid
      Alli is working his way back to full fitness following a hip muscle injuryCredit: BackGrid
      Cindy was spotted taking a dip in the ocean wearing a blue bikiniCredit: BackGrid
      The romantic duo were all smiles as they put on a playful display in the hot Italian sunshine.
      Cindy was spotted taking a dip in the ocean wearing a blue bikini, while Alli lounged on a sunbed in designer shades and turquoise trunks.
      The pair packed on the PDA with a series of passionate kisses as they relaxed at Nikki Beach.
      The 24-year-old was first seen with footballer Alli while holidaying on a yacht in Capri, Italy in 2022.
      Read more Sport News
      The pair have been going strong ever since.
      The 27-year-old former England international has so far failed to make an impact at Everton, after switching from Spurs in January 2022.
      Alli recently revealed in an emotional interview that he had even considered hanging up his boots.
      He also bravely opened up about how he was sexually abused as a six-year-old – and dealing drugs aged eight.
      Most read in Football
      The attacking midfielder also spoke about past alcohol problems, sleeping-pill addiction and addressed his mental-health issues.
      He also spent six weeks in a rehab clinic.
      He said: “Now is the right time for me to tell people what’s been going on.
      “It’s tough to talk about because it’s something I’ve hid for a long time. I’m scared to talk about it.
      “When I came back from Turkey, I found out I needed an operation I was in a bad place mentally and I decided to go to a modern-day rehab facility for mental health.
      “They deal with addiction and trauma. I felt it was time for me.
      “You can’t be told to go there – you have to know and make the decision yourself or it’s not going to work.
      “I was caught in a bad cycle and things that were doing me harm.”
      The football world has thrown its support behind Alli.
      Read More on The Sun
      He was warmly greeted at Tottenham on Saturday as he watched their 2-0 win against Manchester United.
      The former Spur caught up with many of his former team-mates afterwards.
      Kimberly, 24, has been dating Alli since last summerCredit: BackGrid
      Alli lounged on a sunbed in designer shades and turquoise trunksCredit: BackGrid
      The romantic duo were all smiles as they put on a playful displayCredit: BackGrid
      Cindy is best known for being an influencer from the NetherlandsCredit: BackGrid
      She was born in Amsterdam and is half Spanish and half IndonesianCredit: BackGrid
      She currently works as a model and influencer and is signed to Uno modelsCredit: BackGrid More