Today is World Mental Health Day and while the physical benefits to the community are obvious should Bealonians FC remain at Oakfield Playing Fields, the London Borough of Redbridge cannot ignore mental health benefits that can last a lifetime and be passed down for generations to come.

Dan Byrne,  long standing Bealonians FC member reveals his story.

"My name is Dan Byrne and I have been involved with Bealonians FC since the age of 12. I have quite literally grown up at the club and would consider Bealonians FC one of the safest environments I’ve ever found myself in.

For the majority of my time involved with Bealonians FC, we have played at Oakfield Playing Fields and the possibility of change is something that worries me on multiple levels. The physical benefits of football are obvious to most, but in this statement I want to highlight the mental health benefits. There are so many benefits to playing football, but for me the most important one is to forget about all the challenges that you face as a young man daily.

I myself have faced my own challenges, dealing with a gambling addiction and I am grateful to say that I am six and a half years without gambling and I owe so much of that to the football club I’ve played for since the age of 12. It gives my weekends structure and early on in my recovery, it enabled me to fill the void of gambling. I haven’t changed this routine in the time I’ve been in recovery and have actually thrown myself into volunteering in multiple capacities at the club.

One of the benefits of playing for Bealonians FC, is the massive support network you find yourself in. I’m extremely open and honest about my struggles with mental health, but not only has that enabled me to talk to people at the club when I’m struggling, but also give support to others when they are going through tough times as well. These are conversations that go across the entire club, with everybody involved supporting each other in the best way they can.

Over my time at Bealonians FC, I know I’ve had role models in the older teams and I know that has influenced me to try and be the best version of myself both on and off the pitch. The honesty that football allows people to show amongst friends is something that I’m incredibly proud of, but also enables people to develop. I don’t like being considered a role model, but I know there will be people at the club who will look up to me (more for my mindset and mentality off the pitch rather than my footballing ability).

As well as being a volunteer and player at the club, I also referee every weekend in the youth section and have been able to see the wonderful journey the players go on from playing mini soccer to breaking into the men’s first team at Bealonians FC. In my role as a referee, it enables me to build a relationship with the players at the club and help them develop into mature adults both on and off the pitch.

One of the battles I faced when dealing with my demons with my own mental health is understanding that I’m just a smaller part of a bigger picture, but I’m so happy to play my part. Every weekend, I feel so positive if something that I have done has helped a young person smile by playing football.

Whatever your age, there is always someone you can talk to at Bealonians FC about how you feel. A family environment is created to enable people to talk and not feel judged if they are struggling. I know this because of how many members have spoken to me, but also how many members I have spoken to about the demons I’ve faced as well.

Not only is there a high standard of training available to members of all ages, but there are also opportunities to throw yourself into developing yourself as a person and a professional at Bealonians FC. The opportunities to develop as both an individual and a professional have benefited me on the pitch, off the pitch and in my career and I will be grateful to Bealonians FC for that for as long as I live.

For me, I see Oakfield Playing Fields as a second home and it’s a safe place for me. I know there over a hundred people (if not more) who would try and protect me from causing myself damage to my own mental health and I know how valuable it is to have that. I know that the space created by Bealonians Football Club at Oakfield Playing Fields enables people of all ages to feel safe sharing their emotions and accepting how they feel. It might just be bricks and mortar to some, but it’s an important safe space for every single member to lose themselves in the beautiful game."

Please share this petition with your friends and family and encourage them to sign.